Caucasia Series- Volume III

FORCED MIGRATION
Displacement of Population

Written By
Osman ÇELIK

English Translation By
Yunus Buğra

(FLY LEAF)

A note from the translator

Any inquiry relevant to the translation of the Caucasia Series, GENAR - WARTIME GENERATIONS - MIGRATION,  may be addressed to  Mr.Yunus Buğra, 95. Sokak Number 16, Uğur Mumcu Mahallesi,  Batıkent, Ankara;  or call  (312) 250 12 73.

            Pşımef had died too early.  There was no one in north-western Caucasia to fill the void.  The distinctive personalities such as Geriyiko Şemız, Geriyiko Ali, Havuduko Mansur, Şurukyiko Duğuj and Kalabatuko Hatuk indeed were warriors of immense experience.  Nevertheless; they were a group of intractable aged individuals opposed to a reconciliation.  Besides; being poorly  informed on international politics,  they were unable to produce rational alternative plans.  They never seriously considered the idea of creating a central national authority, which Pşımef had been  advocating all the time. 

            Though Basti Pşımef had been the product of the same environment in which the said leaders had emerged, he had a distinct characteristic relative to the other Caucasian leaders.  He had sensed right at the beginning that something basic was amiss.  He had continually voiced the fact that there was a serious imbalance of potential between the warring sides, that   Russia possessed unlimited war resources, and that the Caucasians ought to consider measures accordingly.  The other leaders contended otherwise; they took it for granted that the troops concentrated at the fronts were all what the Russians could afford. 

            Pşımef had passed away on  the eve of a series of new developments.  Had he survived, perhaps he could have greatly contributed in shaping the upcoming movement. 

            In the summer of 1839 the entire Russian troops in eastern Caucasia had been dispatched to deal with Imam Şamil¹ .  The famous hero of Dagistan²  had been under siege at Fort Ahunlgon, where for some time he had been engaged in a life-and-death struggle.  At a desperate moment, when he had lost almost all  his fighting men, he survived by a sheer chance. 

            The Russians having concentrated their attack at the eastern side of the fort;  Şamil managed to escape through the precipice on the west.  He took shelter in the Çeçen territories³  . With him there were his family and a few of his men.  He was miserable and frustrated.

            Having a respite to regroup and build up through the help of the Çeçens,  within a short span of time he became stronger than ever before.  More importantly; now he had definite political objectives, and had charted out plans to achieve them.

            Having driven away the Russians from the highlands, he effected an administrative division of the territories under his control.  He appointed a Naib⁴  to govern each division, introduced a revenue system based on taxation, and took appropriate measures for maintenance of education and communication.  He set up judicial tribunals and encouraged punishment of  the offender and rewarding of the successful.

            In 1842 Imam Şamil reached the peak of his power.  Then he made serious efforts to liberate the Çeçen and Kaberdey lowlands from the Russians.

            Imam Şamil had appreciated the importance of intelligence in dealing with the Russians.  His agents, planted everywhere in the occupied Caucasia, provided him with timely intelligence on Russian dispositions. 

            He also closely watched the resistance sustained in the western Caucasia.  He believed that a greater degree of success could be achieved only if the Caucasians could  established a united front. 

            He had in the meantime ascertained that an appreciable alliance did not exist among the Adiğe tribes in the west.  He made plans to have them united under a single command, as well as to promote his relations with the Adiğe forces. He got his plans approved by the Council of Deputies. 

            According to him; in order to establish a united front against the Russian invasion, all the forces involved had to be integrated in the same religious discipline and administrative system first.   There were select individuals at his service capable of  achieving it.  In 1844 he assigned Hacı Mehmet and Süleyman Efendi as his Naibs or Representatives in Adiğey⁵,  assigned to promote his plans. 

            The two Naibs concentrated their activities in the Abzeh Region.  They, however, could not cut much ice there on two accounts:

            Firstly; the Abzeh tribe was  highly isolated from the world.  They had not yet experienced any serious encounter with the Russians.  They had little political foresight.. 

              Secondly; the administrative system the Naibs applied in the region backfired.  For  in the east administration was characterized by religion, while in the west the traditions were still predominant. 

            Late in the 14th century the teachings of Bahaeddin Şah-i Nakşibendi, who lived in Bukhara earlier in the same century, had reached Dagistan and the highlands of Anatolia. 

            The Nakşibendi school of thought, which subsequently came to be called the “Nakşibendi Tarikat”⁶ , had as its avowed aim to develop peaceful, productive, and spiritually mature model individuals.  It  demanded absolute loyalty to the  Murşid ⁷ ,

            The Nakshibendi Order in Caucasia had a somewhat different shade than that in Anatolia.  In Dagistan, where no central government existed,  the Imam, that is the supreme Murşid,  was both the temporal and spiritual leader of the people.  He was the Commander-in-Chief, the Head of State and the religious leader at the same time.  Given that the homeland and the Islamic way of life both were in danger in northern Caucasia, the creed had assumed a more rigid and warlike character. Gazi Muhammed, Hamzat Bek and Şamil served as the Imam in sequence.  The privilege the Imam enjoyed over the secular leaders was due to the specific nature of the religious order as conceived in northern Caucasia. 

            The holy men in  western Caucasia, however, though much respected, were subordinate to the secular leaders in civil affairs.

            Therefore, what to speak of the common man, even the secular leaders and the holy men in the west could not comprehend the ideology of the representatives of Imam Şamil.

            Islam had a longer background in Dagistan.  The religious institutions there were more developed relative to the situation in the west, where the people’s devotion  to Islam was not as strong, and they were less informed about the basic rules of the religion. 

            In north-west Caucasia there existed a mosaic of religions.  In certain areas ancient creeds had still had their hold on the people.  Within the Şapsığ and Ubih tribes there were smaller Christian communities, who resisted conversion to Islam.  There existed organized fanatic Christian groups particularly in the areas between Abhazya and the Ubih territories.

            Under the circumstances Muridism, the creed Imam Şamil contemplated to promote, was not likely to take root in the west. 

            Hacı Mehmet died in a mysterious manner.  Süleyman Efendi disappeared without leaving a trace.  Various speculations circulated concerning the fate of the two Deputies of the Imam.  It was rumored that Süleyman Efendi had defected to the Russians.

            Notwithstanding the setback; Imam Şamil was not deterred.  He wanted to win over the Adiğes to his side. He was aware that there existed a superb military potential in the west yet to be organized.  In 1846 he dispatched Muhammed Emin as his Naib  to western Caucasia. 

            Mehmet Emin was an Abhaz by origin.  He had come to Dagistan to receive religious education in his early youth.  Having succeeded in reaching the Imam’s inner circle of associates, had served as his personal secretary for a long time.  He was a vigorous and intelligent person.

            Mehmet Emin Efendi had two important incidents before him to take lesson from.  These were the faulty approaches made by his predecessors,  Hacı Mehmet and Süleyman Efendi.  He had to find out the factors responsible for his their failure.  Besides; he had to learn the Adiğe language, which would take a pretty long time.  That was enough reason to him to be patient. 

            For nearly two years he made no initiative.  In the meantime he worked hard to master the Adiğe language, and made friends.  He affected as an ordinary wanderer, rather than a man assigned to perform a certain mission. 

            Like the two Naibs, who had preceded him, Mehmet Emin also chose to be the host of Hacı Tlam, a famous Abzeh leader.  He settled down at the farm-house Hacı Tlam in the neighborhood of  village of Hanapasif.

            The Abzeh tribe was a dynamic, but ignorant community, devoted to the traditions. Orientation of the whole community depended on the stance of the tribal leadership, who were not yet sure as to which way to go.

            The young Naib perceived the situation at the first glance. 

            He did not take residence at the farm-house of Haci Tlam just by chance.  He did it delberately.  Tlam was a leading personality in the tribe.  Besides; in the neighborhood there dwelt several of the influential families, including the Meretyikos and Gujyikos.

            He attended meetings, and carefully listened to the speeches made;  but did not make any comment unless asked for.  He avoided acting as an advisor.  He, however, did indicate support in favor of any ideas which he actually favored.

            A circle of leading personalities began to take shape around him by mid-summer of 1848.  Old Hacı Tlam had him in his company on all of his social visits, and presented him to the local people as a knowledgeable and trust-worthy friend.

                                                              O0O

            During the years of 1939 and 1840 the Adiğes had launched an offensive along a wide front, and had captured all of the Russian forts on the coast, excluding the forts of Anapa and Gelincik.   Nevertheless they could retain non of the forts long enough.  Within two years the Russian forces regained their lost positions and   imposed a tight blockade on the Black Sea shores of Caucasia.  Exploiting the presence of Christian population in Abhazya, the Russians declared formal annexation of the area to the Czar’s domain. 

            During 1840s the coastal strip of western Şapsığ and Natuhay were relative calm; for the experienced local leaders had passed away one after the other.  Such famous figures as Geriyiko Şemız, Havuduko Mansur, Bastiko Pşımef, Hacı Huzbek, Şurujyiko Duğuj and Indaryiko Mehmet did not exists any more.  Anyone of the same generation, if still alive,  was no more actively involved in resistance.

            The new aspirants for local leadership yet had to prove their metal.  Zanıko Sefer’s son  Karabatır, Geriyiko Şemız’s son Şeretlük, Geriyiko Ali’s son Shaneş, and Bastiko Pşımef’s son Ahmet still existed under the shadow of their fathers.  Non of them had yet shown any distinction except being the sons of once famous persons. 

            On the other hand; in the Adegum region Hacı Hasan Efendi, son of Kadı Ismail Efendi was a focus of attention for his oratory and good conduct.  He was esteemed as a religious leader. 

            Zanıko Karabatır was the most distinguished one among the younger generation aspirants for leadership.  He had been extremely uneasy due to the prevailing stagnancy.  The wished to put an end to the hesitations and uncertainty.  He had been in communication with his father, who had been under house arrest somewhere near Edirne, Turkey.  He kept his father informed of the developments in Caucasia.  Obviously he acted in accordance with the advise of his father and his friends. 

            Karabatır, in cooperation with Bastiko Ahmet, took steps to reassess the over all situation.  To the same end he called for a meeting of all the Adiğe leaders at the Adegum plains. 

            Zanıko Karabatır’s messenger bearing the invitation for the proposed meeting had a stop over at the house of  the Abzeh leader Hacı Tlam. Muhammed Emin, the Naib, was very much excited when informed about the projected meeting.  He thought it would be the right time to disclose his identity.  He let his host know of his wish to attend the meeting as a  representative from the Abzeh region. The aged Abzeh leader conceded to his request.

            On a sunny day in October of 1848 Hacı Tlam organized a meeting on the bank of the  river Pşeha to elect Abzeh Representatives to the forthcoming Meeting at Adegum. With Tlam’s help Muhammed Emin  was elected the Head of the Abzeh Delegation to the Adegum Meeting.  Furthermore; Hacı Tlam instructed other members of the Abzeh delegation, including Meretyıko Alimet and Gujyiko Beçmız and his own son Daruk, to support him. 

            Daruk, Alimet and Beçmız were well known for their impressive personalities.  Besides; each of them belonged to major families, and had solid power base. 

            Mohammed Emin was conscious of the importance of the privilege accorded to him by the Abzeh Assembly.  He therefore prepared himself commensurate with the responsibly it entailed. 

            Mohammed Emin had attained proficiency in Adiğe language through his two years long hard work.  Aware of the importance of good speech in the performance of his mission, he had been practicing it during the intervening period.  He had developed a lucid and impressive way of addressing his audience.

            He plotted a draft of the speech he would deliver at Adegum.  He had enough time to check and rehearse his conduct to attain maximum advantage of the opportunity. 

            In a country with a very low rate of literacy, the qualifications possessed by Mohammed Emim indeed was a major distinction, and he was going to avail the advantage.

            The Abzeh Delegation headed by M.Emin departed for Adegum without further delay, and reached the destination by the middle of October. 

            The antecedents of Imam Şamil’s earlier missions to west Caucasia were a matter of common knowledge in the area.  The local leaders, in particular, were aware of the details of the endeavor.  Although Mohammed Emin had been dormant that long, the leaders suspected him being  a follow up of the previous Naibs of the Imam.  His disguise, therefore, proved too thin.  Appearance of the young Naib at Adegum was a surprise to none.  They were curious about his character, though.

            The leaders from the regions in the neighborhood of Adegum had brought along their fighting men as well to meet any exigencies.  As the meeting day approached, the Adegum Meadow resembled an army headquarters. 

            The extra vigilance on the part of certain leaders were justified.  The Adiğey had been under constant surveillance by the Russian garrisons.  The Russian were informed by their agents immediately of any development there.  The Adegum meadow was not far from Fort Anapa.  The Russians could mount an attack to forestall the meeting.

            In view of such a probability, the Adiğe leaders had posted patrol teams along the trails leading to the coast. 

            M. Emin immediately sensed that Zanıko Karabatır intended to impose  himself as the undisputed leader. He warned his colleagues to be on guard.  Daruk and Meretyiko Alimet promptly acted.  They individually contacted the regional delegations.  Without any reference to Karabatır’s intention they praised M. Emin, hammered on his virtues and capabilities, and lobbied in favor of M.Emin addressing the meeting.

            No definite date  had been fixed for the meeting to start.  It was to be inaugurated upon arrival of all the delegations.  Appearance of clouds on the western horizon worried every body.  No one could afford further delay of the outdoor meeting.  Hence it was decided to open the meeting immediately. 

            The ordinary delegates and fighting men were accommodated in the tents the wooden barracks adjacent to the Adegum Meadow. The distinguished leaders  were being hosted at the villages in the neighborhood.  The meeting was inaugurated on the 26th day of October. 

            The Adegum Meadow has been used as a meeting place since almost a hundred years.  The valleys and the hills to the west of the meadow were covered with forests, and provided the plain with a natural shield against the westerly winds. 

            The meeting place proper was like an open sports stadium. The huge aged oak trees, shaped like a wall surrounding the area, had assumed sanctity in the eyes of the local people. 

            The elders of the community and the famous leaders clustered together under the oak trees, which were traditionally regarded holy even after the advent of Islam in the area.  The main body of the participants had lined up in the  space opposite them.  The younger ones had climbed up on the trees.

            As all the delegations showed up on the meadow,   Karabatır  asked Hasan Hoca to inaugurate the meeting. 

            Hasan Hoca was a well informed person.  He had studied in Istanbul like his father Hacı Ismail, the former Kadi⁸  of the Adegum region. 

            He took a few steps forward, and raised his hands, saying “Ameen!”  He recited a rather long supplication in Arabic, and then spoke in the Adiğe language.  He beseeched God Almighty to safeguard the Adiğe homeland. He concluded with a piece of advice to the assemblage, the leaders in particular.  He said:

            - Have respect for one another!  Elect as your leader the wisest and the most courageous amongst you!  That is the command of God Almighty and the Prophet. 

            Hasan Efendi did not say a word of political nature.  At the end he called the congregation to join him in reciting “Fatiha”⁹ .

            Karabatır stepped forward again, somewhat reassured. He lightly coughed, poised to start addressing the assemblage. 

            He was brunette in complexion, with glossy black beard and raised cheek-bone reminiscent of a probable distant Tatar ancestry.  His original name was Ibrahim.  The Tatar friends of his father used to call him “Karabatır”, which in the course of time had replaced his first name.

            He began his speech calling, “Adiğes, welcome!”

            -  May God bless you! For you have taken the pain of coming over here in compliance with our invitation. 

            Referring to his status in the community, Karabatır attempted to insinuate how important a person he was.  He went on,

            - It is common knowledge; the Russians have built innumerable fortresses along the Black Sea shore and on the northern bank of the River Kuban.  They even have infiltrated the hinterland.  They have settled down by the side of the River Abın.

            Also as you are aware; my father has been residing for the last twenty years in the domain of the Ottoman Sultan.  He is closely following the developments in Caucasia.  I am in touch with him. 

            According to the information I have received from him, peace between Caliph-Sultan¹⁰  and the Czar does not seem to last long.  A showdown of the two powerful monarchs in the near future seems inevitable.  For the Sultan, who once had a full sway over the Black sea, could hardly tolerate the present situation. My father is waiting for the next great war.  He would be returning to the coast with a powerful army as soon as the war breaks out. 

            The young Zanıko had anticipated that his message would be received with thunderous ovation.  On the contrary; the audience looked askance at him. 

            The old warriors had time and again heard similar speculations.  The two major powers had fought three times during the last fifty years.  Each time the Ottoman Sultan was defeated.  About ten years ago a few English men had landed on the coast, and  had been instrumental in germination of hope.  For years since then the people have been watching the sea side in vain to spot a British fleet on the horizon.   To the Audience, Karabatır seemed to narrate a familiar old story.  His words had little impact on the assemblage. 

            He was suddenly demoralized.  Nevertheless he continued,

            - I obviously do not mean to suggest ‘wait and see’.  We need to be ever ready to confront the enemy.  We should stop Russian advance through whatever means available, in unity!  It is the fundamental purpose of the present meeting.  We must decide here as to how we should conduct the defense of our homeland. 

            He paused briefly and continued.

            -  A herd without a shepherd is always open to attacked by the wolves.  Let no one be offended.  We are like a herd devoid of a shepherd.  Those of us away from the fronts do not foresee that one day it could be their turn to brace the enemy attack.  We ought to unite around a single leader.  We ought to fight under his command.  There is no other way out to salvation.

            Muhammed Emin was impressed by what Karabatır said last.  He was very much satisfied.  He assessed that Karabatır had prepared a good ground for what Emin himself intended to expound. 

            Karabatır had hoped that the leaders standing behind him had an unshakable confidence in him as the son of Zanıko Sefer Bey.  He anticipated that some one among them would come up and declare, “Let Zanıko Karabatır be our leader!”

            Nevertheless many of the delegates were bemused of  the inconsistencies in his conduct.  Most of the participant of the meeting were there not because they had any special consideration for Karabatır but because of the interest they had in the theme of the discussions to follow. 
            Hacı Hayden Hasan, one of the elders present there, know Karabatır very well.  He wanted to warn him before he committed an mistake impossible to rectify.  He approached Karabatır and whispered into his ears, “Tell them about the guest from Dagistan, and invite him to address the assembly. 

            Thus Hacı Hasan helped Karabatır to wind up his speech.

            The young Zanıko did not at all expect such an intervention.  involuntarily complied with the request of Hacı Hasan. 

            He had hoped, however, that M.Emin would not be able to impress the audience because he estimated that Muhammed Emin was not conversant in the Adiğe language.  He smirked, and presented Muhammed Emin to the audience in these words:

            -  Here we have an esteemed guest with us from Dagistan.  I think he is the envoy of Imam Şamil.  Let us listen to him.

            The assemblage moved.  There was a humming that resound in the woods nearby. 

            Muhammed Emin came forward from the sector allocated to the leaders. 

            He was in his late thirties or early forties. 

            He was of fair complexion with dark a brown beard, trimmed short.  His looks inspired confidence.  He was relatively a tall person.  He could be classified neither fat nor slim.  He looked more than an ordinary fighting man.  He had the air of an authoritative person.

              Muhammed Emin gazed at the audience from one end to the other, from the front to the rear, steadily without haste.  He seemed as if trying to charm his listeners by the power of his looks.

            Incidentally some ones from the rear shouted, “We can’t see the visitor!”

            Karabatır had with him a mounted Guards Unit.  He had kept it at alert just behind the area reserved for the leaders, for all probabilities. 

            Zanıko Karabatır called up the commanding officer of the unit by signaling with a movement of his hand to tell him to bring in a horse.

            The young man immediately grasped the idea, and pulled in his saddled horse by the side of Muhammed Emin.

            The well groomed, reddish-brown, handsome animal sniffed and lightly neighed, flapped its mane once to either side, and stamped its forefoot. It was getting a bit unruly.  A kind caress by its owner immediately appeased it. 

            Mehmet Emin turned his back, shyly cast a glance at the leaders lined up behind him.

            Hacı Hasan interjected, “Please mount the horse, your audience at the rear want to see!”

            The young Naib flew up on to the saddle.  The handsome reddish-brown horse attempted to rear up; but immediately calmed down having sensed the harness was in expert hands. 

            The cavalry man, however, stayed there firmly holding the reins as a token of reverence to Muhammed Emin.

            The use of the horse-back as a platform by  public speakers in the Adiğe community dated back to ancient times.  Generally at open-air congregations the Thamates  used to address the  crowd mounted on horseback ¹¹. 

            Muhammed Emin once again gazed at the audience as he had done earlier.  Then he called, “O Adiğes!”

            The large crowd had virtually stopped breathing.  Most of them, particularly the elders, were aware that the Naib has been staying in the Abzeh region for the last two years.  They were interested to know him.  So all the eyes were focused on him. He went on;

            -  I think the elders remember what Imam Mansur had told them.  This is what he had said: ‘ The peoples of  are like brothers fed by the same breast.  Holy Prophet has assigned me to unite you.” As you may also remember, he was taken prisoner by the Russians while fighting to defend Anapa. He was executed by Czarina Catherina.  Gazi Molla and Hamzat Bek followed his line.  Imam Şamil also follows the line of Imam Mansur. All the three later Imams shared Imam Mansur’s faith in the fraternity of the Caucasian tribes. 

            Muhammed Emin paused to gauge the impact of his words on the audience.  There was a pin-drop silence. 

            Though his accent exposed that he had learnt the Adiğe language not long before;  he used the words appropriately and spoke with self-confidence. Karabatır and the others like him, who had met him for the first time, were surprised at his command over the language.  He went on.

            - Imam Mansur emerged from Çeçenistan, and went up to Anapa.  Imam Şamil, however, has not been that much lucky.  For he had to confront the most ruthless generals of the Czar.   Therefore he sent his Naibs to you.  The ones before me did good things.  If you allow me I would like to complete what they had left unfinished. 

            The young Naib was conscious of the fact that his mission was not an easy one at all.  It was not an easy job to manage the proud community. He had to win them over; had to convince them first.  So he went on speaking.

            -  I have been with the Abzehs for the last two years.  During this period I have been a guest of Hacı Tlam.  May God bless him!  He has been very kind to me. 

            Muhammed Emin paused, apparently to  ponder, suddenly jerked his head upwards, and continued his speech. 

            -  You would rightly question me, ‘Why did you then wait for two to come up with your actual identity?”  Let me tell you why:  I did not know your language. I feared being misunderstood if I were to express myself inappropriately.  Now I know you better.  I have witnessed that you are dedicated to defend your own homeland, your dignity and your chastity  and nothing else. 

            He had discovered the susceptibilities of the Adiğes.  He knew what they detested, and what they craved for.  He cast a questioning glance at the audience, and continued.

            - Did you ever see the Czar?  Did he ever present himself at the battle field to have a fight with you directly?  No; you never did!  It is impossible; for he lives in Petersburg, at a distance of one month’s journey from here. His generals fight with us under  a single command.  The Russian commanding officers along the River Terek or those along the  River Kuban receive their orders from one and the same central authority. 

            Muhammed Emin paused.  Again cast a questioning glance at his audience, he continued,

            -  Right! What about ourselves?  Why don’t we do the same?

            He gravely shook his head.

            -  We must unite under a single command.  Otherwise it is just impossible to succeed. 

            The assembly was stirred.  The humming that filled the space indicated the impact of his words.  Some of the fighters raised their weapons. “That is correct!” they shouted repeatedly. 

            The Naib then straight came to the point.  Turning to the enthusiastic group of fighters, he shouted as loud and he could,

            -  Give me the authority!  Let us unite under one banner.  Let us throw the Russians out of the Kuban Basin!

            All of the audience were excited.  The community had been looking for a real leader who would take them to liberation.  The fighters, holding their weapons high up,  were shouting in chorus, “We are prepared to die!”

            Muhammed Emin dismounted, waved both hands in salutation to the assembly, and in back steps he returned to his place.

            Hacı Hasan was excited.  He stepped forward, raised his hands to restore silence.  Without mincing words he uttered the decisive appeal:  You have listened to our guest. Do you accept him as the Naib and the Commander?  Would you rally around the banner he has flown up?

            Thousands chanted “Yes, we do accept him!”  It echoed back from the hills and the forests, and filled the space.

            Hacı Hasan was elated.  It reflected both on his face and in his voice.  He shouted back, “May God bless us all!”

            The assembly did not disperse right away as it should have done due to the gathering of the dark clouds and the piercing chilly wind.  They split up to  smaller groups, and got engaged in discussions for several hours.

                                                                O0O

            Karabatır was not happy with the development, which he never expected.  Nevertheless he managed to hide away the uneasiness deep in his heart.

            Zanıko Karabatır was not the only one bemused.  Several of the leading younger generation activists, including Bastiko Ahmet and Geriyiko Şeretluk, also could not comprehend it.  Grand Duke Berzeg and Barankoko Ismail from the Ubih Region had neither seen or heard about him before. 

            To them it was odd for a stranger to come up unnoticed, and claim for leadership. 

            Emergence of an opposition to Muhammed Emin’s leadership was obviously expected.  The young Naib talked about things the Adiğes had not been accustomed to.  He made no reference to either Zanıko Sefer not to the Caliph of Islam, the Ottoman Sultan.  Thereby he disappointed those who had invested hope on outside aid. 

            He was talking about Imam Şamil,  and advocated that  unity at home was an antidote for  foreign aggression.  His pronouncements were hinged on those points. 

            Zanıko Karabatır, affecting satisfied with the results of the meeting, invited some of the leading delegates from far away places to his farm-house. Most of them accepted the invitation. 

            Muhammed Emin was proclaimed as the leader.  It was to be communicated to all parts of the country within a few days.  Certain details were yet to be worked out.

            The leaders left the Adegum Meadow late in the afternoon.   The Abzeh delegation headed by Muhammed Emin and guided by Hacı Hasan and Hayden Hasan, reached the Zanıko Farm at midnight. 

            Karabatır had sent out scouts to lead the guests to the farmhouse.  They were accommodated in the guest houses already prepared to receive them.  No one agreed to take a supper at that late hour.  Having been exhausted, they immediately went to bed. 

            There had been a rainfall before dawn.  They sky had cleared by sunrise.  A warm and refreshed morning invigorated the visitors.

            Muhammed Emin got up early and offered prayer. The Naib and Hacı Hasan came out to the courtyard o enjoys the unparalleled natural beauty at sunrise. 

            The valley opened up towards the west.  The plains seemed to extend without a limit.  For the space was rather hazy. Visibility was rather poor. 

           Karabatır too had gotten up early.  He was waiting for his guests to wake up.  Sighting the Naib  and Hacı Hasan  at the porch, he too came out of   his house.  He joined them, and wished them  a good day.

            Karabatır, pointing his index finger to the west, said the For Anapa was not far from his farm.  He went on,

            - A quick ride would take you there by noon time.  You see; we now happen to be so close a neighbor with the Russians. They constantly keep us under surveillance.  I think they must have watched our meeting yesterday.

            Muhammed Emin remarked, “Is that so?”, with a hint of surprise.  He fixed his eyes to the west for a long time, as if hoping to see Fort Anapa through the haze. 

            In no time the porch was filled with the quests. 

            The service personal of the farm had decorated the porch  fit to the occasion with carpets, felt rugs and pillows. 

            The sides being closed at intervals with wooden panels, the porch looked like a reception hall.  It had been in use for almost one hundred years. 

            The Zanıkos had been hosting all the meetings held in west Caucasia.  The had been at loggerheads with the Kalabatukos,  another prominent family in the west. The two families, however, had never entered into any serious confrontation. 

            All of the leaders had a good rest; but were very  hungry.  They relished the rich breakfast.  They soon consumed the fresh bread, honey, cheese, walnut milk and drinks sweetened with honey served on the low round tables . 

            When the breakfast was over and the tables were cleared, there began a discussion without an agenda. They glided over from one topic to another.  That was the usual practice; a sort of exercise to hit the actual topic to be handled. 

            Karabatır once again narrated his father’s story;  his visit to Istanbul at the head of a Caucasian Embassy mission, his detention by the Ottoman Foreign Ministry on behest of the Russian Ambassador, and his twenty years long forced residence in exile near Edirne.

            Geriyiko Şereluk narrated the story of the Englishmen, whom his father had hosted about ten years ago.  He satirically concluded: “My father  had been expecting the British navy to call at our shores for several years after their departure.” 

            Şeretluk was a humorous type.  He was given  to narrate even a most tragic or serious matter in a humorous manner. 

            There were some highly colorful persons among the leaders.  Alibi Hantokyiko, for one, had proved his metal in the recent battles.  He was a real hero. 

            Tu Efendi, a leading member of the western Şapsığs, was an interesting personality.  He was a trader by profession; but always maintained a detachment of armed men in his company, and had an efficient intelligence apparatus at his disposal.   In the event of a dangerous situation he turned to a restive warrior. 

            Tu Efendi was indeed an expert on the Russians.  He was well aware of the unlimited military resources of the Czar, which the Adiğes could not indefinitely resist. But he never expressed it; he  never publicly admitted it.  For he despised the Russians.  He had some personal motives to hate the Russian power.  Once, on his return from Istanbul, the Russian fleet had arrested his vessel.  he had lived through a long torturous period in captivity.  He had escaped by bribing a Russian officer. 

            Today, at the farm-house of Zanıko Karabatır, Tu Efendi was realistic in his argument.  May be that he wished to advise Muhammed Emin to be cautious.  At the end of his narration he remarked, “Don’t underestimate the Russians.” 

            Hacı Ismail also was a trader like Tu Efendi. His ancestors had come from Anatolia.  His mother was a Çerkes ¹².  He had been to Istanbul on numerous occasion since his early youth.  He conveyed intelligence on Caucasia, particularly on the Russian fronts, to the Ottoman Government.  The Ottoman Foreign Office highly regarded him.

            Obviously the exchange of information had been reciprocal.  Hacı Ismail had been very well informed about the policy of the Ottoman Government towards Caucasia and Russia. 

            He explained as to why Ottoman support  was essential for the success of any initiatives on the part of the Caucasians.

            Muhammed Emin attentively listened the statements, without any interruption.  He intended to understand the contemporary Adiğe leaders.  Besides; their narration contained elements of new information useful to him.

            According to the young Naib, all of the Adiğe leaders were worthy persons.  They were excessively independent minded.  That was their only handicap.  None of them was prepared to be a subordinate of the other.  Each could mount an attack at the Russian positions on a whim.  They considered such activities as heroism.  They did not at all consider the advantages of disadvantages of such actions. 

            Among local leaders he appreciated Hantokyiko Alibi most.  He talked less, and laughed less.  He was steady.  He seemed dependable.  Muhammed Emin planned to have a talk with him whenever an opportunity presented itself. 

            Hacı Hayden Hasan was a thinker rather than a fighter.  He talked sense; inspired confidence to his associates.  The Naib had witnessed consistence in his behavior, and had assessed he could be of help.

            The host, Karabatır, did not inspire confidence.  He din not like him.  He appeared to cause a problem to him at any time.  Given his family background, the Naib decided not to ignore Karabatır; but rather co-operate with him as far as possible. 

            The young Naib was completely absorbed in those thoughts when Tu Efendi touched his elbow. He warned him, “Would our esteemed guest care to address the meeting?”

            Muhammed Emin shyly smiled.  He said,

            - As you are aware I am a stranger in this environment.  I preferred to listen. I must admit that I have found your discussions highly useful.  I have learnt a lot on many  points I had no knowledge about.  May God bless you all.

            He paused and pondered for a moment.  He proposed, “If you may please agree, let us decide together on what should be done next.”

            From every side of the porch there came oral votes of concent, vociferously voiced in such terms as,   “That is a good idea!” and “Why not!” 

            Muhammed Emin, without haste and properly weighing his words, began to speak out his mind.

            - In fact we are much more stronger than we seem to be.  Caucasia is the home of brave people.  Our ancestors had been living on these territories since time immemorial, without being subservient to any one else.  Other peoples, who have migrated to this land in the course of history, have owned our traditions and have merged with us.

            Muhammed Emin paused for a moment, gazed at his audience, and went on.

            - You may well ask me how I have come to this conclusion.  The answer is simple:  The Russians have built more than a hundred fortresses of various sizes to the north of the rivers Terek and Kuban. For the last fifty years they have been forcing our borders with their hundred-thousand strong armies.  Could they achieve a decisive victory upon us? No!  This fact by itself is a sufficient proof of  our strength.

            Muhammed Emin’s words were received with great interest.  Tu Efendi was deeply engrossed, with his mouth slightly open and his tongue time and again gliding over his lips.

            The Naib continued.

            -  Henceforth the eulogization of the valor our ancestor would not take us anywhere. Physical strength of the individual is no longer the only standard yardstick of his superiority.  The age of spears and swords is over now.  The enemy possesses fire arms capable of turning everywhere to a hell.  Should we fail to organize under a unified command, we might end up in a disaster. 

            He then inquiringly gazed at the audience one by and asked, “Do you know what diplomacy is? I am sure you do.” He lightly smiled and went on,

            - Russia maintains embassy missions all over the world.  Do you know what do they claim about us?  ‘The Circassians are the subjects of the Czar ...  They are savage hordes...  They are bandits who have rebelled against the Czar!’ , they tell the world.   Yes;  they spare no abuse to degrade us, to humiliate us.  Why?  just to cover up their own misconduct; to justify their own heinous savagery unto us.

            Tu Efendi could not stand any further. “Sons-of-a-bitches!”, he murmured. 

            The atmosphere was extremely tense.  Nevertheless a few of the audience could not help half-heartedly smiling. 

            The Naib asked, “Who do you think should counter the Russian allegations?”  He shook his head and answered his own question:

            -  We do not have a Government of our own; we do not have ambassadors abroad to speak on our behalf.  Karabatır told us a while ago.  The Ottoman Sultan, whom we relied upon as the Caliph of Islam; arrested Zanıko Sefer Bey, our Ambassador to his Court; for fear of offending the Russians.  Adding insult to injury, the Ottoman Government prohibited Zanıko’s return to his homeland.  Why?  Because we, the Caucasians,  had not been  recognized as a State!

            Muhammed Emin summarized his thinking in two brief sentences: 

            - Either we declare ourselves a State or submit  to the Russians.  To get organized under a united command is a precondition to become a State. 

            Bastiko Ahmet was married to Karabatır’s sister.  Being a son-in-law of the Zanıko family, the Adiğe tradition required him to be noncommittal and be submissive to the head of family.  He remembered what his father Pşımef once had said. Late Bastiko Pşımef had been advocating the same ideas all the time.  He wished his father were alive to listen and enjoy the Naib’s statement. 

            All of the leaders were apparently convinced. Everyone, except Karabatır, was looking at the young Naib, spellbound. 

            Tu Efendi murmured, “All what he said are correct.”  Others affirmed him.  They said,

            - We shall be with you in your endeavors!

            It was noon time now.  Muhammed Emin begged for a short prayer-interval.  Hasan Hoca and some of the leaders joined him at the prayer. 

            Notwithstanding his disgruntlement, Karabatır did not spare any effort in entertaining his guests.  The affair had been planned in advance, and two lambs had been  roasted.  The guests were entertained in a best possible manner. 

            Muhammed Emin wished to avail himself of the advantage of the gathering of the leaders to brief them on his plans before he departed the Zanıkos farm-house the same afternoon. 

            He presented his plan under three headings:

            Firstly; he intended to organize a standing military force, albeit a small one.  He was going to introduce taxation to finance the supplies and maintenance of the force.  With the intent of  organizing an effective management, he wanted divide the country into administrative unit areas. 

            For a people not used to discipline, it was difficult to comprehend the Naib’s plan.  The leaders left the Zanıkos farm with confused feelings. They were mentally exhausted.  Mostly, however, they were optimistic.  They were morally better off. 

            While his guests were departing, Karabatır tactfully maneuvered to have Hacı Ismail stay with him.  He proposed a reassessment of the situation with the Hacı and his brother-in-law Bastiko Ahmet.

            Certain question marks had crept up in Hacı Ismail’s mind also.  He didn’t approve a stranger imposing his own leadership over the Adiğes.  “It is too much”, he had been murmuring by himself throughout  the meeting. 

            Karabatır had originally designed to have talks with Hacı Ismail after dinner.  With this idea in mind he had moved Hacı Ismail to the main guest house, and let him alone to have some rest. 

            Later, however, he changed his mind.  Accompanied by Bastiko Ahmet, he set out for the guest house before sunset. 

            They found Hacı Ismail in the main room.  He had already offered his afternoon prayer, and was counting his Tasbeeh¹³  in a pensive mood. 

            He gathered himself on hearing the foot steps.  “Come in”, he said; and stood up to receive his visitors.  Then he took his seat on the sofa by the side of the window.

            Years of experience had earned him many virtues.  He could guess the misgivings that troubled Karabatır. 

            To engage him in speaking out his mind Hacı Ismail asked Karabatır,

            - What do you think about him?

            Karabatır had already been pent-up.  He answered hastily,

            - In fact I myself wanted to talk with you about him.  This man has no regard for others.  He does not even spare the Caliph in being contemptuous at. 

            He paused; as if short of breath.  He went on,

            -  The Caliph detained my father.  If is there be some one to say anything against the Caliph it ought to be myself. 

            The young Zanıko had wittingly picked up the subject of the Caliph.  For he knew Hacı Ismail could be impressed on that account.  Given the Hacı’s disposition towards the Ottoman monarch and the Istanbul Government, Karabatır hoped he shared his views. 

            Hacı Ismail was an experienced person. He replied without haste.  He acknowledged his agreement.