If you are an American of Armenian descent or if you are concerned about Genocide issues, please click here to take special action at the request of the Armenian National Committe of America on Memorial Day (Monday, 28th May 2007).
Please help - it will take only a few minutes and your contribution is valuable.
"Official people do not like the Armenians, because in
their hearts they ask: 'Why have the Armenian people
throughout one thousand years . not become Muslims and
have resisted Turkification?"
During the week end of May 17-21, the courageous
"Baadvelee" (Reverend) Krikor Aghabaloghlu, the pastor
of the Gedik Pasha Armenian Evangelical Church in
Istanbul, visited the Armenian American community in
San Francisco.
Rev. Aghabaloghlu was invited by Rev. Nerses
Balabanian, the pastor of the Calvary Armenian
Congregational Church of San Francisco.
Rev. Aghabaloghlu delivered enlightening and
insightful remarks during the Saturday evening
banquet. The banquet took place on May 19, at the
jam-packed hall of the church. His speech was
interrupted by thunderous applause and at times with
standing ovations. Rev. Aghabaloghlu also delivered
the Sunday sermon in the church, filled to near
capacity.
Rev. Aghabaloghlu gave an interview to USA Armenian
Life Magazine on Sunday just before his departure to
New Jersey. The following is the first part of the
interview: (The second and final part will be
published next week.)
USA Armenian Life: "Baadvelee" Welcome to the USA.
What is the primary purpose of your visit to the
United States?
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: Thank you. The Armenian
Brotherhood church in New Jersey has invited me to
deliver my message to the community. There is a
chapter in the Holy Bible where Isaac's children had
dispersed. So Isaac calls upon his youngest son Joseph
to go see what happened to "your brothers, and what
they are up to? Bring me their news."
So, I think, God has prepared me and said: "Son, I am
sending you to go see your dispersed brothers. See how
they are living. What are they up to, and encourage
them. Talk to them. Preach to them and encourage
them." I thank God for that. For I have many brothers
who are inviting me to come and see them. On Monday, I
will go to New Jersey. I will stay there for one week
and I will preach to the Armenian people.
Once in a while, invitations arrive, and I don't turn
them down, because I am God's and the Armenian
people's servant. What is the duty of the servant? If
the Lord calls, the servant goes. Our Lord has called
me too. So, I shall go and serve Him and my brothers.
USA Armenian Life: You are famous around the world for
being a courageous Armenian spiritual leader in
Turkey, who without any fear states in what is now
called Turkey, that today's Turkey was founded on the
ashes of Western Armenia. During past direct
broadcasts on Turkish national television, you have
intrepidly told the Turks directly: "Enough with your
denialism of the facts of the Armenian Genocide!"
Where does the power for such courage come from?
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: For one thing, I was born in
Anatolia and I have experienced many hardships.
Because...
USA Armenian Life: By Anatolia, you mean Western
Armenia?
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: Let's say Western Armenia.
Because, we are used to and are taught to refer to
Western Armenia as "Anatolia." Now, Western... let's
say historic Armenia. Because, where I was brought up,
it's not an easy thing to stay Armenian and to live as
a Christian. I have experienced too many hardships and
persecutions. I have seen many acts of ill treatment.
You do good deeds but you are "remunerated" by bad
deeds. Yes!
There are very good people who do good deeds and you
become joyful and you say that "yes you understand
that this is human." The human being shall be like
that. But if you do good deeds and you get
maltreatments in return, you do not forget.
... In Turkey there are a few very powerful people who
are like that. There are families. And there are
government officials who do not like the Armenians.
Because the following lies in their hearts: "Why has
the Armenian people throughout one thousand years
[Editor- Since 1071 AD when the Turks first invaded
Armenia] live with us and have not become Muslim and
were not Turkified?" They cannot accept that. That's
why they say: "If they live in Turkey, they should
have become Muslim and been Turkified." If you say,
"I'm Armenian," you touch the eye like a thorn or a
needle. He becomes unsettled. Whether you do something
or not, the man is like that. His nature is like that.
Oh! You shall be tortured. You shall loose your
homeland. You shall loose your schools; and your homes
will be taken away. Your churches shall be
confiscated. Your people shall decrease [Ed-in
numbers]. And then they will curse at you. You shall
listen. And after all that they shall tell you that
"you're guilty!"
For how long, for how long, one can keep quiet? I
don't know. This is my nature since my childhood. But
I could not keep my mouth shut. My father also,
wherever he used to go, he would say: "I'm Armenian
and Christian."
I was very little and I used to say: "Hayrig (father)
why are you saying: "I'm Armenian and Christian?
People are not asking a question like that!" He used
to say: "My child when you grow up, you'll
understand!" When I grew up I began to understand. I
understood that to be Armenian and to be Christian in
Anatolia was a hard thing to do. They always speak
against your religion; against your nation; your
family, your blood. You know, they always talk!"
I have been a teacher, history teacher. I have
encountered many hardships in Western Armenia. And now
God has called me and I have recognized God's power
and have acquired that power. And now that power
brings through my heart such an empowerment that you
can't express with words. It's such a great power.
Jesus said: "The Holy Spirit will remain inside you
and you shall acquire power."
While acquiring that power, Jesus said: "Now, I am
parting to be crucified." His pupils said: "What are
You saying. They will kill you." Jesus replied: "I
have come for that moment. If dying is needed, I'll go
and die." Later, the pupils said: "OK we also will go
and die." If you have that kind of love, you'll learn
from Christ!
For Jesus, dying is nothing. It was a gain. Later, you
too say, for the truth, for the right, for my nation,
dying is a game. If need be, I can die. One and one
half million [Armenians] have been sacrificed. The
odor of their blood permeates my nose. I remember,
because I was a child. During my childhood, the elders
used to narrate how their fathers and mothers were
massacred. They were crying as they were telling. As a
child, I used to hear and hear, and hear these things.
Later, again we were subjected to ill treatment during
the republic era. Up to now, the government has not
changed. It came up with laws in 1941-42. It took away
all the remaining riches from the Armenians. It did
the same thing in 1955.
USA Armenian Life: Are you referring to "Varlic
vergise" (Possession taxes)?
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: They did it against the
Greeks in 1955. But also they did it once more,
against the Armenians.
Later, 1974 was unforgettable. It was impossible! I
can't come up with a name for it, even if it needs to
be defined. I can't name it. It was inconceivable. If
you claim that it was a law, it did not fit. Then, the
government says: "The churches' becoming rich hurts
the government." And it confiscates all the properties
from the churches.
Is this possible? So, the church initiated a lawsuit
insisting that it had purchased these properties with
money, therefore, it said: "Compensate us." The
government replied: "There is neither any money, nor
any buildings for you."
It's impossible.
We have spoken out. Europe did not understand it. It
is only now that Europe has awakened.
But the government will do bad deeds against the
church and the Armenian people, then shamelessly it
will write in schoolbooks that the "Armenians have
back-stabbed us." How did they backstab you?
Now the era of the republic is laid open in front of
us, isn't it?
Can our government people say: "during the days of the
republic, the Armenian people [Ed- in Turkey] have
done this one bad deed???" Have you heard that they
have?
USA Armenian Life: No!
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: Can anybody prove that?
Good! In 1915 one could claim that the Armenians
massacred the Turks. Or you can claim that the
Armenians sided with the Russians.
USA Armenian Life: They are coming up with pretexts.
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: Now what? This proves one
thing: That is the habit of the Turkish government. It
always likes to confiscate. Look. The people's heart
is good. The majority of the Turkish people are good.
They like the Armenian people. They know the
Armenians. But what happens? The government people,
the official people or the military people always
talk, talk, talk and by talking and talking, they
misguide the people. They fill the people's hearts
with bad stuff, you know my brother. So what will
happen to them? Oh, they will say: "our professors are
advising as such. Undoubtedly they are right, because
they are our professors."
USA Armenian Life: In your remarks yesterday, you
clearly defined the confiscations from the Armenians
during the 50's and the 70's as economic genocide...
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: Yes, yes! I'll arrive to
that. Yes, in my opinion, that is economic genocide.
There is no other definition.
You can't define it any other way. They always take
and take. Then they shamelessly say: "we have taken
nothing. We don't say anything and you, (Armenians),
are lying." How do we lie? Right then and there, if
you are a believer, if you recognize Christ, His
courage permeates you. And you say: "If sacrificing is
needed I can not abstain from speaking out."
When I entered into the church and became aware of
these problems, I said to myself: "This is
indigestible! I can't digest it and will speak out."
And I began to speak out.
It is for that reason that I wish to tell the majority
of the Armenian people who live in Europe and America
that they don't know the truth about the situation of
the Armenian people in Turkey. Many among these people
will tell you: "we're doing well. We're obedient,
because, from time to time, they show individuals on
TV."
Where do they find them? I don't know! The name sounds
Armenian. But the heart is not Armenian. They say:
"we're obedient and well. There's nothing going on
here." Oh man! What kind of Armenian are you?
USA Armenian Life: Totally enslaved!
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: How can you be an Armenian!
How blind are you that you can't see. Or how cowardly
are you that you can't speak out!
I can't comprehend that an Armenian can be this
cowardly and say: "We're doing well."
Well it shall be good. It's my homeland. I've not come
from the outside. I'm not a beggar. I'm not asking for
mercy from the Turkish nation by saying: "Please, I
have no place to go to, no home to dwell in. I have no
homeland. Accept me in. Let me live here."
I am not like that. Western Armenia is my motherland.
I've been living there since four thousand years and
if money is needed to be paid I'll pay taxes. Is there
a need to serve in the Army? I'll do that as well. I'm
not a beggar. Yes, I'll live well. Why not? Why not?
If others live well, we also will live well in our
ancestral lands. ...
I'm very joyful that the churches are open. What else?
Can you teach Armenian history in your schools?
Now the Turkish people in Europe are erecting mosques.
Is that not true? Europe is Christian. She says:
"You're Muslim. Come and open your mosque. Open your
school and at the same time, during your holidays,
take your Turkish flag and walk in the streets. Can't
they do it? They can! Don't they?
USA Armenian Life: They have freedom.
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: Aha! Now, can you do it?
USA Armenian Life: In Turkey?
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: For once, can you, as
Armenian in Turkey...
USA Armenian Life: And as an indigenous people...
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: Yes, can you take one
Armenian flag and observe a holiday? Can you do it?
What kind of freedom is that? How free are we? Can you
teach your own children in the Armenian school the
Armenian history?
In all the schools, the vice-principle must be a Turk,
whose job is to keep an eye on your activities. Now
are you free? How free are you? You like to move the
church from there, because the number of your people
has dwindled here. Now there are other neighborhoods.
Can you relocate your church and build a new church?
Can you build? You can't build! According to the new
law of two years ago, when Turkey was trying to enter
the European Union, "Yes, from now on, the churches
can be repaired. The government people are respecting
to us in every way" Can you repair your church as
result of this new law?
But the Turkish nation in Europe is so comfortable. I
am happy for them, they deserve to be comfortable. Why
not? But I want to do the same thing here in Turkey.
But I can't do it. I can't!
USA Armenian Life: Meaning that in emulation of
whatever freedom the Turkish people are experiencing
here in the free world, the Armenians are not able to
do the same in their own ancestral lands.
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: Yes, in their ancestral
homeland!
USA Armenian Life: During the first four months of
this year, two earth-shaking murders took place.
Rev. Krikor Aghabaloghlu: Three of them took place.
Yesterday they killed five more.
USA Armenian Life: Later on, please give some details
of the third murder. The first one was on January 19,
when the extremist Turks murdered the Armenian
journalist and editor of "Agos" Hrant Dink. The second
one, if I'm not mistaken, was on April 18, in Malatia
when three non-Armenian Christians - one German and
two Turkish Christians - were murdered. So, on the
occasion of these murders and according to many
sources, there is a forecast that these events will
become more frequent. Do you agree that this will be
so?
End of PART 1. Part 2 of 2 will be published next
week.
Photo courtesy of Arto's official Web site (see below)
The Armenian Navy Band, founded by percussionist/vocalist Arto Tunçboyaciyan, won the Audience Award at last year's BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music Concert.
You can see Arto's very singular performance when he accepted the award on behalf of the Band on You Tube, where you may also view related video clips of other renditions by the Band, including the very memorable Ararat.
For more information about the award, visit the BBC Radio 3 site, and if you want to gen up on Arto and his Band, you can click here.
The Band have released 3 CDs to date, which are listed on Amazon, and Arto himself has a Web site which has details of all of his recordings and much more besides. You may also wish to have a peek at the Band's Official site.
Long live the Armenian Navy - and its band! :-)
1) Divesting Denialist Turkey and Genocidal Sudan;
2) Denialists Frantz and Mango Participate in a Deceptive
Conference on "Turkish Democracy"
The world community must raise the bar in countering
the genocidal denialists and criminal governments
everywhere. It doesn't matter whether they are Turkish
or Sudanese.
The Armenians, as the victims of the first genocide of
modern times: (1915-1923), have the moral
responsibility to join other activists in stopping the
Genocide in Darfur, and help avert the future ones.
In a May 13 article in the Los Angeles Times, titled,
"How investors can help fight the Darfur genocide,"
Kathy M. Kristof wrote: "Adam Sterling wants
individual investors to know that they are a powerful
force - and they can use that power to help stop
genocide halfway across the world in the Sudanese
region of Darfur. . If American investors pull their
money from companies that fund the Sudanese
government, Sterling believes that government will be
forced to curtail atrocities by its forces and allied
militias in their fight against Darfur rebels. .
'Divestment has been the one real action that the
government of Sudan has responded to. Genocide is
expensive. The Sudanese government relies heavily on
foreign investment to fund its military and the
janjaweed militias,' said Sterling, director of the
Sudan Divestment Task Force in Washington."
Kristof added: "The Sudan divestment campaign
resembles an effort decades ago to press South Africa
to give up its practice of apartheid, which stripped
economic and legal rights from the country's black
majority. That divestment bid isolated South Africa
economically, and in 1992 the government ended
apartheid. The South African divestment effort took
about 15 years to be successful, gaining steam as some
large institutional investors in the U.S. pulled funds
from the country's economy. . Forty-two colleges and
universities and eight states, including California,
have started to sell their Sudan-related investments.
An additional 17 states are considering doing so."
A financial professional and a California resident
Michael Williams, referring to the worldwide boycott
against Turkey, recently initiated by the Boycott
Turkey Committee of America, wrote in this week's
issue of USA Armenian Life (page E3): "I agree with
your boycott of Turkey. I checked my investments and
found that two of my mutual funds owned Turkish
companies. I wrote the mutual fund companies and told
them, I did not want to invest in any fund that owned
Turkish companies. The funds were sold. Who wants to
invest in a country with this type of history and
philosophy! I will be carefully reviewing my spending
and investing to make sure that I am not supporting a
country that denies the Armenian Genocide and
continues to take lightly the murder of other
Christians today."
Speaking of the necessity of socially responsible
investments, Kristof reported that Amy Domini,
president of Domini Social Investments, said: "You are
not just an individual doing your thing; you are part
of a large group. . People are finally beginning to
realize that acting as part of a group can be really
powerful."
Almost ninety years after the Armenian Genocide of
1915-1923, students at Swarthmore College in
Pennsylvania created in 2004 The Genocide Intervention
Network.
The Genocide Intervention Network was created to give
concerned Americans the opportunity to help protect
civilians from genocide. The organization's website
(www.genocideintervention.net) says: "Sometimes it
might feel like there's not much you can do about a
genocide occurring a world away. In fact, you have the
power to help end the genocide. The world's leaders
need support and pressure from you in order to act."
The Genocide Intervention Network proposes its members
a ten-step course of action to end the Genocide in
Darfur or anywhere for that matter: "1) Join the
Genocide Intervention Network because you care deeply
about protecting civilians from genocide; 2) Support
the African Union peacekeepers in Darfur; 3) Sign up
for action alerts; 4) Investigate the actions of your
members of Congress to stop the genocide in Darfur -
thanking those who have stood against genocide, and
urging those who have not taken action to do so - with
GI-Net's Darfur scorecard; 5) If you are a student or
otherwise connected to a college/university or high
school, start a STAND chapter. STAND: A Student
Anti-Genocide Coalition is the student arm of the
Genocide Intervention Network, with 600 high school
and college chapters around the United States, as well
as international chapters; 6) Host a fundraiser and
donate the proceeds to your favorite Darfur
organization - the Genocide Intervention Network, Save
Darfur, STAND, Africa Action, UNICEF, the Darfur
Rehabilitation Project or others; 7) Join the Sudan
divestment campaign in your state; 8) Tell the
television news networks to Be A Witness and fully
cover the genocide - because you can't stop a genocide
if you don't know about it; 9) Organize a Sprint for
Darfur. The international community now faces a final
sprint in what has been a long struggle for human
security in Darfur; 10) Convince your local
municipality to approve a proclamation condemning the
genocide and calling on the United States to get
involved.
Sterling, Domini, Williams and the Genocide
Intervention Network are neither Armenian nor
Sudanese. The fact that the number of anti-genocide
activist individuals and organizations is on the rise,
is a clear indication to humanity's growing
intolerance towards genocidal governments.
The courageous and socially responsible position
adopted by Williams, Domeni, Sterling and others
should inspire many others to join them in stopping
the genocide in Darfur by bringing the Sudanese
criminal junta to their knees; and in bringing justice
to the Armenian and other victims in Turkey. Turkey is
long overdue in recognizing the genocide and in
returning the forcibly-occupied lands of Western
Armenia to their rightful owners: the Armenians.
Turkey and other criminal governments should be made
to realize:
- That the citizens of our global village have not
forgotten the Armenian Genocide and do not tolerate
the Darfur Genocide; and
- That the loot confiscated from the victims by the
criminal enterprises will not remain in their
possession.
In emulation of Williams' and Sterling's divestment of
Turkey and Sudan, many more activists and entities
should do the same and intensify the worldwide
campaign to pull out their investments from such
countries.
Companies and individuals that directly or indirectly
perpetuate the genocidal governments' stay in power
should be exposed and held accountable. Otherwise, how
could we, as humanity, eradicate atavism?
---
Denialists Frantz and Mango Participate in a Deceptive
Conference on "Turkish Democracy"
The widely criticized denialist Managing Editor of the
Los Angeles Times, Douglas Frantz just delivered
another deceptive act: On may 12-15, he moderated a
panel at a deceptive conference held in Istanbul. Of
all the names, that conference was called, "Turkey:
Sharing the Democratic Experience."
Are certain readers not fully familiar with Frantz?
Harut Sassounian, the Publisher of The California
Courier wrote an update in his recent column: "Based
on copies of the e-mails received by this writer, the
Los Angeles Times is continuing to receive a steady
stream of complaints from Armenians worldwide. They
are calling for the dismissal of Managing Editor
Douglas Frantz because of his discrimination against
Armenian-American reporter Mark Arax whose article on
the Armenian Genocide was blocked by Frantz.
Meanwhile, several Turkish websites and lobbying
groups have started an e-mail campaign in defense of
Frantz. By sending such e-mails, the Turks are
inadvertently helping to keep the Frantz fiasco alive.
It is clearly counter-productive for Turks to be
rushing to the aid of Frantz. The Turkish support of
Frantz only serves to confirm the accusations that he
is a Turkophile and not an independent journalist."
How can one label Turkey's decades-long undemocratic
behavior as a "model democracy" that "deserves to be
emulated?"
Early this year, in broad daylight, innocent and
defenseless citizens like Armenian journalist Hrant
Dink and three non-Armenian Christians have been
murdered by the same "democratic" Turkish society.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Barely forty days
after Dink's murder, was a pipe bomb thrown on an
Armenian church in Constantinople in a show of
commonplace criminality of certain circles within
Turkey's government and civil sectors.
Just a few days ago, Turkish nationalists sent a
message to "Levon Vardukhian" Armenian school in
Constantinople, shamelessly threatening the
defenseless Armenians of Turkey: "The Last Warning and
Ultimatum . .exclamations 'We are all Armenians, we
are all Hrant Dink' are examples of extreme chauvinism
and summons for revolution. Do not forget that except
Armenian citizens of Turkey, there are also Armenians
from Armenia on our land, and they count over 100
thousand. Both their addresses and their workplaces
are well known. Henceforth we hope to see our Armenian
citizens as advocates of truth [sic], concerning the
Armenian Genocide or any other matter, and as
defenders of the Turkish statehood. We shall keep an
eye on how the Armenians are playing this role.
Otherwise the Armenians shall be those to lie in the
grave and count how many Armenians and how many Turks
there were in the `ages long past'. This land has
never pardoned treachery and shall not. Who does not
stand for our paradise-homeland is against us and
shall be vanquished."
One shouldn't discount the possibility that the
so-called "pro-West" secularists did commit the
heinous Malatya Massacre of three non-Armenian
Christians in order to make the ruling Islamists of
Turkey look bad in the eyes of the International
Community.
Currently, the Turkish "nationalists" are still in
control of the government bureaucracy in Turkey. One
shouldn't be surprised that in order to perpetuate
their strangle-hold on Turkey's power infrastructure,
they are willing to undermine Turkey's fledgling
democracy by staging many more criminal acts or by
issuing threats against the minorities - Christian
Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians or Muslim Kurds, Alevi
Arabs and non-Turks. They might even carry out a coup
d'état.
In a May 6 article in Washington Post, Claire
Berlinski wrote: "In recent weeks, demonstrators have
taken to the streets in massive numbers in support of
Kemalist secularism. Westerners watching the footage
may be tempted to sigh with approval, imagining this
as an outpouring of sympathy with liberal
Enlightenment values. They would be mistaken. The
(Justice and Development Party) AKP's opponents say
they don't want Turkey turned into another Iran. But
it is not clear that the AKP has any intention of
doing that. What is clear is that it poses a threat to
the power, bureaucratic privileges and economic
interests of the secular ruling class, of which a
dismaying number are authoritarian
ultra-nationalists."
Berlinski added: "A casual observer might also expect
that because the Turkish protesters are enemies of
Islamic extremism, they are friends of the United
States. Not so. The secularists here are if anything
more hostile to the West than the AKP. (They are often
just as anti-Semitic, too.) Many secularist
legislators voted in 2003 to deny U.S. forces the
right to pass through Turkey on their way to invade
Iraq. At the recent rallies in Ankara and Istanbul,
protesters held up signs denouncing 'ABD-ullah Gul.'
This is an anti-American pun: The letters 'ABD' stand
for 'USA' in Turkish. U.S. camera crews were abused
with chants of 'Go home, CIA spies.' One particularly
lunatic nationalist, Ergun Poyraz, has just published
a book claiming that Erdogan is really an undercover
Jew who is collaborating with the Mossad to destroy
Turkish secularism."
It is against this anti-democratic backdrop that
Frantz moderated the Istanbul conference on the
so-called "Turkish Democracy."
Individuals like Frantz and Mango should stop
insulting the intelligence of the community through
their misguided efforts to mischaracterize Turkey as a
"model democracy."
What a sham!
Those Strange Sounding Armenian Family Names
Most Armenian names end in "ian" or "yan," meaning the "son of ," but
some Diaspora Armenians have changed these endings to blend in their host
societies. Today in Turkey "oglu" often replaces "ian," while Russian
Armenians may change the endings to "ov"; e.g., Gary Kasparov, Serge
Parajanov.
A name ending in "ian" is not always exclusively Armenian, since "ian"
ending can also be occasionally found in names in Irish, Persian, English,
Philippine and some other cultures. Armenian last names generally fall into
five specific categories:
Aristocracy, Parent, Geography, Occupation or Trait.
Aristocracy
The ancient Armenian aristocracy ("Nakharar" class) was derived from
Parthian-Persian stock and many of their names ended in "uni" or "ooni."
Most of these families were destroyed over the centuries but some still
survive today; e.g., Sasuni, Rshtuni.
Parent
Many Armenian names are derived from the first names of an ancestor; e.g.
Davidian, "son of David," Stepanian, "son of Stepan," or Krikorian, "son of
Krikor/Grigor." Until the 19th century, virtually all first names had a
religious origin, so most of those last names are also religious.
Geography
Some last names are based on geographic origin and end in "lian" (Turkish)
or "tsian" (Armenian). Typical examples are Sivaslian "from Sivas,"
Urfalian "from Urfa" and Vanetzian "from Van." These names were typically
given to an immigrant who migrated from a different region of Armenia.
Obviously everyone living in Marash would not call himself or herself
"Marashlian".
Occupation
Most last names were taken from the professions of an ancestor. These names
frequently originated with the tax collectors who needed to identify all
individuals for tax purposes. Typical examples are Najarian "son of a
carpenter," Arabian "son of a wagon/teamster," and Vosgerichian "son of a
goldsmith." Many of these occupations are not Armenian, since the tax
man(typically a Moslem Turk, Persian, Arab, etc.) would use his own native
word for the occupation; e.g., the name Boyajian is based on the
Arab/Turkish term "boyaji" "one who dyes."
Trait
The most confusing and curious names are those based on some trait of an
ancestor. Typical examples are Topalian "son of the cripple," Dilsizian "son
of the tongueless one," or Sinanian "son of the spearpoint." Many of the
origins of these names are unclear unless one understands the original
context. As an example, Dilsizian indicates that an ancestor had his tongue
cut out by the Turks for using the Armenian language, while the term "Sinan"
was a slang term applied to somebody either with a very erect military-like
carriage or who was "hung like a horse."
Some of these traits are not physical, but rather reflect personality or
social status; e.g., Melikian "son of the king or Harutunian "son of the
resurrection." The name Harutunian could be based on an ancestor named
Harutune (so-named because he was born around Eastertime), or adopted by a
convert to Protestantism to show his status as a "born-again Christian."
Many last names today have been shortened or modified to aid pronunciations
by non-Armenians; e.g., the name Mugerditchian/ Mkrtichian" becomes "Mugar,"
"Husseniglian",becomes "Hewsen," and Samourkashian" becomes "Samour." These
abbreviated names often drop the ian" ending, and are not immediately
identifiable as being Armenian to an outsider.
The name categories of Occupation and Trait can differ significantly
between Eastern Armenians and Western Armenians, since the eastern names
often have Persian, Georgian or Russian roots, while the western names may
have Turkish, Arab, or Greek roots. Names with the prefix "Der" or "Ter"
show that one of the ancestors was a "Der Hayr" a married parish priest), a
position of great social status among Armenians; e.g., DerBedrosian, Ter
Petrosian.
The study of Armenian Names is a fascinating exercise, since virtually
every aspect of the culture is reflected in names.
There have been extensive studies of Armenian names in the Armenian
language, but little has appeared in English and many Armenians (born
outside of Armenia) do not understand the significance of their own names.
____________________________________________
** REPLY from 'gamavor':
The author of this article is Armenian 'wanna be'...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
"Ian" simply means "belonging to", "possesson of", 'related to', "comming
from", exactly the same way as the slavonic "OV".
JohanSON, PeterSON, etc.. may mean SON OF as well as IBN or BEN Eliazer,
(son of), or BEN Gurion, etc...
The word for SON in Armenian is VORTI or DGHA. In Armenian there is no word
'IAN'. Ian is just ending just like in Latin and English - example:
CanadIAN! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
BTW, while 'ian' is perfect Armenian native ending indicating possesion,
like in "Nairian aghchigner" or "Hovagimian aiky", it was not the typical
Armenian surname ending until late 18 century. Indeed, before that the
surname was formed eihter by a short father's name of the person or
geographic location, profession, social status, etc..
'Crypto- Armenians' seen as threat in Turkey
Istanbul MILLI GAZETE newspaper (28.12.05) publishes the following
report under the title: "The Crypto-Armenians among us":
The descendants of the "Crypto-Armenians" who hid their identities
and appeared to be Muslims in order to escape from the forced
migration applied during the deportations imposed in 1915 are now
returning to their true identities.
It has been stated that Armenians who changed their religion to be
ostensible Muslims in order to escape from the forced migration due
to the deportation imposed by the Ottoman State in 1915, or else who
were given to various families for adoption, succeeded in hiding
their existence under this "secret identity" for many years. It is
being claimed that there are currently 30 to 40 thousand
"Crypto-Armenians" living in Turkey as Turks or Kurds.
According to Professor Salim Cohce, who is known for his researches
regarding the Armenians, the Crypto-Armenians appear to be Muslims
but still maintain their Gregorian traditions. Cohce, stating that
some studies have been carried out on these people in recent periods,
points out that, in the near future, they are going to be used in
order to realize the dreams of the Armenians.
Cohce says that they identified over 3,500 Crypto-Armenians in
fieldwork conducted in Malatya.
Speaking with Aksiyon magazine, Cohce states that yet another
interesting determination had been made in Tunceli. He stresses that
the population records of two thousand people were taken to Aydin
although they themselves did not emigrate, and that two years later,
these records were modified to read "Muslim" rather than "Christian"
in the religion category, and they were then taken back to Tunceli.
Cohce states that the number of converts to Islam following the
deportation was about 100 thousand.
There are 40 thousand hidden Armenians
According to a study entitled "Armenians in Turkey Today" [provided
in English] written in 2002 by Dr Tessa Hofmann, who serves as an
"expert witness" in the hearings of Turks of Armenian origin who
apply for political asylum in Germany, there are "40 thousand hidden
Armenians" in Turkey. But it is being seen clearly, in the numbers of
people changing their religions, that, apart from certain exceptions,
the Armenians who ostensibly converted to Islam in the past are now
engaged in returning to their actual identities. While 2,630 people
in Turkey changed their religions during the years 1916-2004, 2,172
of these consisted of those returning to their previous religions.
Over 60 percent of those returning to their original religion, or
1,340 people, consisted of Armenians. Those changing their religions
were largely registered in various provinces such as Istanbul,
Diyarbakir, Adiyaman, Batman, Sivas, Tunceli, Malatya, Elazig,
Kayseri, Mersin, and Mardin.
Professor Salim Cohce explains that activities involving hidden and
converted Armenians in Malatya increased after 1995, and that in
2003, some 120 persons of Armenian origin with Muslim names submitted
a petition for the re-opening of the church at Cavusoglu.
Cohce stresses that covert efforts are being made, via citizens of
Armenian origin, to regain deed records and former properties. Cohce
also claims that, during investigations conducted in Malatya, they
identified "converts" [Turkish muhtedi] who had assumed the position
of MHP [Nationalist Action Party] Provincial Chairman.
Could be used in "Urban Terrorism"
Cohce, indicating that there are also, among the converts, those who
truly became Muslims and live accordingly, says that "The 'Crypto-'
or 'secret' Armenians are those who only appear to be Muslim in
identity. Since they have not to date been seen as a threat, they
have not been monitored by the state. Also, they have manipulated
their population records. For this reason, it is very difficult to
determine their actual numbers."
Stressing his belief that the Crypto-Armenians are going to
constitute a danger, Cohce points as examples to the efforts made by
Armenian groups regarding them, particularly in recent years. Cohce
claims that "Efforts are being made to remind them of their
identities. Financial assistance is being provided. I think that,
just like the emergence of the PKK after ASALA [Armenian Secret Army
for the Liberation of Armenia], these people will be used for "urban
terrorism" within Turkey in the post-PKK period. Such a formation
could be brought about by 2010. Likewise, I believe that, by
reminding them consciously of their Armenian identity, these people
are in the future going to come before Turkey with demands for land
and compensation."
Maintain close contact with PKK
Cohce, drawing attention to the close contact between the
Crypto-Armenians and the PKK, says the following: "A meeting was held
in 1980 at the Gulbenkian Foundation, which financed ASALA. It was
decided to use the PKK as a "pawn" organization in order for Turkey's
authority in the region to be weakened, and for its population to be
reduced. The PKK's initial ability to form an effective lobby in
Europe and the United States, and to get support, came about with the
help of these circles. And the existence of individuals of Armenian
origin within the PKK, and even the killing of a number of them,
corroborates this. Likewise, the existence of 'Turks' among the
founders and current leaders of the PKK is thought-provoking."
Press Release
Armenia Solidarity
British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary Group
& Nor Serount Publications
Call for UK Recognition of the Armenian Genocide to further real Human Rights in Turkey
Turkish and Kurdish democrats and human rights activists called for change in British Policy on the Armenian Genocide to promote Human Rights Reform in Turkey. At the invitation of Armenia Solidarity, the British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary Group & Nor Serount Publications on Wednesday, 2nd of May 2007, in the House of Lords, in the UK parliament, they addressed a meeting on British recognition of the Genocide of the Armenians to wider Human Rights issues in Turkey. The meeting was sponsored, chaired and moderated by the Rt Hon Baroness Park of Monmouth.
Ragip Zarakoglu, Turkish author, human rights activist and publisher, characterised Turkey as a 'security state' despite essentially cosmetic changes to some legislation. Notwithstanding changes in names of the courts, the same mindsets in the legal processes were delivering unchanged judgements contrary to the long-term interests of the people in Turkey and their progress towards democratisation.
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide and respect for the Kurds are two important steps that would facilitate real changes needed within the country. Denying the realities of history was the rallying point for ultra-nationalists who were encouraged by the silence of the USA and Britain. This reflected badly on the standing of these countries as it demonstrated double standards compared to the way they approached other human rights issues. The number of Islamists in Turkey was relatively low but the policies of other countries was making them more influential, for example by allowing to attack democrats. The paradox is that Europe is apprehensive of ultra-nationalists yet creates conditions for them to thrive.
Murat Aktas, the Kurdish journalist and political sociologist, referred to the deep-rooted long-standing attitudes in Turkish society that had to be confronted. There is a culture of xenophobia against non-Muslims including Christians and Alevis, and tendency to humiliate anyone not of Turkish origin. Hrant Dink's assassination and other extra-judicial killings gave the message that the ultra-nationalists can kill when they want to in pursuit of their objectives. This is not just a Turkish problem but one that involves all humanity.
According to British author Desmond Fernandes, British parliamentarians should be clear that denial of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey is linked to the repression of non-Turkish minorities. Britain could not continue with its current attitudes of facilitating denial in the face of the unequivocal statements of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, and persuading Turkey to move on this would lead to true democratisation and relief from the current state oppression. Britain has a special role because of its contemporaneous judgement that there had been crimes against humanity*.
* May 24, 1915 Joint Declaration of Entente/Allied Powers -- Russia, France & Great Britain:
"In view of these new crimes of Turkey against humanity and civilization, the Allied governments announce publicly…that they will hold personally responsible…all members of the Ottoman government and those of their agents who are implicated in such massacres."
Guerre 1914-1918, Turquie, 887. Armenie, 1, (May 26, 1915).
FO 371/2488/51010 (May 28, 1915).
Armenia Solidarity - Tel 07876 561398 or 07718 982732, eilian@nant.wanadoo.co.uk, eilian@nantperis.wanadoo.co.uk
British-Armenian All-Party Parliamentary Group - Tel 01494 816 757, baappg.bazil@btinternet.com
Nor Serount Publications - Tel 020 8997 1200, norserount@btconnect.com
