Harmony in Diversity: Historical Foundations of a Shared Culture of Music and Ethno-Religious Interaction in the Ottoman Balkans

Abstract

This study aims to explore the Ottoman context of cultural interaction between Muslim and non-Muslim subjects of the Empire, who belonged to diverse ethnic backgrounds. Such interaction occurred within various social and institutional frameworks established by the Ottoman state. One key arena was the military system, which, during the classical period of Ottoman history, incorporated Christian men into its ranks. In the Tanzimat era, this inclusive approach expanded: provincial assemblies were formed with non-Muslim representation, military service for non-Muslims became mandatory, and Christian men began to occupy positions within the imperial bureaucracy. Markets (bazaars) also functioned as important spaces of everyday interaction between different communities. The culture of the Ottoman court served as a model of elite refinement and high culture, attracting composers and artists of various backgrounds. Similarly, provincial noble courts contributed to regional cultural exchange. Migration further facilitated cultural contact. The settlement of groups such as the Yörüks from Anatolia, Caucasian refugees, and Sephardic Jews in the Balkans, along with the Ottoman practice of deportation and resettlement, created additional layers of cultural blending. Religious interaction-including the activities of dervishes, shared veneration of saints, and participation in pilgrimages-also fostered intercommunal ties. By using Ottoman archival sources, the paper also tries to give insides about the life of provincial musicians in the Balkans.

Keywords

• Ottoman Empire
• the Balkans
• Cultural interaction
• Balkan music
• Balkan musicians

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