Varsak Village as the Representatıve of Nomad Life in the XIX. Century

Abstract

As the sultan's people with a special status, the nomads continued their daily activities scattered in different parts of Anatolia. Yoruks, who lived in different places in winter and summer because they were engaged in animal husbandry, were active in animal breeding, animal trade, transportation, and food sectors. In the XIX century, the Varsak Yoruks, on the other hand, were raising camels and transporting by camels due to the geography they lived in.Varsak Yoruks were engaged in transportation activities between Antalya Pier and the inner regions with their camels. Camel breeding and camel transportation came to an end due to the Ottoman Empire's demand from the Varsak yoruks to settle down. When camel breeding and transportation by camels came to an end, it and nomadic lifestyles were greatly affected. This new situation has changed their responsibilities to the state, their way of paying taxes and their cultural life. This village study was written by using population, dividend registers, from archive sources and printed works.

Camel, Tribe and the State: The Role of Tribal Camels in the Ottoman Mining and Army Logistic

“…Zira aşiretler sahip oldukları develer ile kara ticaretindeki nakliyatta birincil bir role sahiptiler (Düzbakar, 2003: 67). Aşiretler yarı-göçer yada yerleşik yaşama geçseler de bilhassa engebeli bölgelerde develeri ile iskele ve ticaret merkezleri arasında taşımacılığa devam etmişlerdi (Köç, 2022). 2 Bu durumda merkezi hükûmetin yaklaşımı daha sert bir tavır takınmayı gerekli kılmış ve Pehlivanlı Aşireti mensupları eğer karara direnirlerse "tedibat" ile cezalandırabilecekleri bildirilmişti (BOA, TS.MA.e.…”

“…Yine aynı dönemde Şam ve Suriye bölgesinde ihtiyaç duyulan küçük baş hayvan ihtiyacı büyük oranda Erzurum bölgesindeki aşiretler tarafından karşılanmaktaydı (Çiftçi, 2018: 83). Varsak Türkmenleri yarı-göçer olmalarına rağmen 20. yüzyıl ortalarına değin Antalya bölgesindeki ticaret mallarının nakliyesini develeriyle sürdürmüşlerdir (Köç, 2022).…”