As I finish up my MESA presentation on early modern Ottoman proto-ethnology, I'll post a few ethnological entries on Bosnians, Hungarians, Albanians, Russians, Franks (Western Europeans), Georgians, and Circassians.
All of these are from sixteenth century Ottoman texts.
"BOSNIANS are endowed with knowledge and dignified calmness, with intelligence and subtlety of intellect, with loyalty trustworthiness."
"HUNGARIANS are sensible and intelligent and skillful at all crafts. But they are deceitful and seditious, obstinate and love pillaging and enmity. They incline towards killing and wounding and running away. [...] Most of them have beautiful forms and white complexions.
"ALBANIANS have beautiful forms, sound intelligence and skill in crafts. However, they are not free from pride and obstinacy, as well as insubordination and sedition."
RUSSIANS are endowed with beautiful forms, white complexions, softness (to the touch), skill in the crafts, graceful service, obedience and lack of obstinacy. However, they are also known for lack of righteousness, proclivity for escaping and apostasy.
FRANKS are endowed with beautiful forms, perfected skills, grace, and detail-conscious service. They are knowledgeable in crafting trifles. But they hardly ever become Muslim.
FRANKS cont'd: Even when they find respect and honor in Islam and submit and worship for many years, given the opportunity, they escape and commit apostasy.
GEORGIANS are not lacking in intelligence, ability, perseverance and subtlety of intellect. Their male and female slaves are obedient and submissive. However, they are not far from being filthy, meanness and lack of dignity.
CIRCASSIANS are endowed with exceptionally beautiful forms and healthy bodies. They are known for their dignified calmness, modesty, piety & trustworthiness. Their good horsemanship and courage is well established. They are plain, heedless, lack discipline, vain, and conceited.
You can follow @emin_lelic.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: