A Magnificent Circumcision Carnival in the Early 18th Century Ottoman Period

Abstract

Circumcision has always been regarded as both an important social event and a milestone of a young man’s life in Turkish culture, especially in the Ottoman period. Herein we study an exceptional circumcision festivity which lasted 15 days in the early autumn of the year 1720, for the 4 princes of Sultan III Ahmed, some sons of two high-ranking Ottoman officials and thousands of male children of poor citizens of Istanbul as representing the beneficent of the Sultan. All the organizations of the Empire participated in this huge event, including many shows and a feast, and the preparations were initiated months before. Traditionally, this kind of important social event of Ottoman culture had been described in a literary manner, and Surname-i Vehbi was the special name for the book of this circumcision festivity with 137 colored paintings and a total of 175 pages. The original of this work, which is in the library of Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, was written by Vehbi and illustrated by Levni. The importance of this antique book is that it is the last important example of the illustrated festivity books of Ottoman literature.

A novel complication of self-circumcision: penile skin avulsion

“…[1][2][3] Although it must be done by experienced medical doctors, it is sometimes carried out by untrained people who do not have medical license as is the case in some parts of our country. [3] …”

“…[1,2] It is usually performed in childhood by experienced medical staff or untrained people. [3] Reports on selfcircumcision are scarce in literature.…”

Childhood circumcision: a planned approach

“…7,8 In Comore, as in other Muslim countries, circumcision is considered a religious necessity and is always occasioned by festivities. 9 In sub-Saharan Africa, circumcision at home is performed either by a nurse or traditional circumciser. In this study, locally trained lowskilled medical personnel performed the circumcision.…”

“…The circumcision festivities are of socioeconomic importance and involve participation of all classes of the society. 9 The rich often pay for the circumcision of the poor children. In addition, money, clothes and food are given to these children as gifts.…”

Is Circumcision a Modified Ritual of Castration?

“…In his technique he offered unilateral orchiectomy followed by penectomy in three-stages to allow safe recovery [14] . For the Ottoman ruling class (16th-19th century) circumcision was far more than a simple surgical procedure and was celebrated during many days and nights with a huge festival that features the contribution of almost all of the councils of known states at the time [15] . Today, while the preferred circumcision age is about 6-8 in Islamic countries in accordance with Islamic tradition [16] , it is 18-24 in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) endemic African ones for the prevention of infection [17] .…”