View source for Ahilik Cooperative Tradition in Anatolia


=Description=

Adana Esob:

"Ahilik is an organization that enables the people living in Anatolia during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods to grow up in various professions such as art, trade and economy, educates them morally, and organizes their working life on the basis of good human virtues. It has its own rules and boards. Akhism, which has a function similar to today's chambers of tradesmen, is a socio-economic order in which good morals, honesty, brotherhood, benevolence, in short, all good virtues come together. Ahilik, which was practiced in Anatolia for 600 years, lasted until the reign of Ahmet III. In 1727, an order called "gedik" began to be implemented. It took until the 17th century for the members of the Ahi-Union to teach art at the counter and to teach manners in the zawiyas as specific to Muslims, but as the Ottoman Empire's dominance over non-Muslims grew and expanded, as the number of craftsmen increased and its branches increased, this distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims continued. It was not continued any longer, and in direct proportion to the increase in the non-Muslim population, the necessity of working together among people of various religions arose. This new organization, which was established without discrimination of religion and did not lose much of its old quality, was called Gedik. The word Ahi is described as "open-handed and generous" in sources such as Dîvânu Lugâti't-Türk and Atabetü'l-Hakâyık. It is argued that it comes from the Turkish word "flux".

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It is claimed that the Ahi organization, in addition to its economic and commercial activities during the Seljuk period, also engaged in military and political activities and played an active role in the establishment and strengthening of the Ottoman Principality. The Ahi organization is a social institution that continued during the founding years of the Ottoman Empire and afterwards. Ahi Evren is known as the founder of Akhism. Ahi week and celebrations are held every year in some cities by the Chambers of Turkish Craftsmen and Craftsmen in order not to forget the Ahi-order tradition related to this organization founded by Ahi Evran, whose grave is located in Kırşehir. The Ahi organization ensured that young people would grow up well and gain a profession. War, disaster etc. In bad cases, there would be solidarity between the members of the institution and the people. Sultans and other administrators also contributed to the Ahi organization and wanted it to develop by supporting it. It shows similarities with the Fütüvvet Organization, which was established for the same purpose by artisans and craftsmen in the Anatolian Seljuk State. It is the continuation of the Fütüvvet organization in the Ottoman Empire. For membership, the person must be recommended by an Ahi."

(https://www.adanaesob.org.tr/en/ahilik-kulturu.php)

[[Category:Cooperatives]]

[[Category:Cooperation]]

[[Category:Turkey]]

[[Category:P2P History]]