This was one of those weeks when, seemingly, there were simultaneously lots of topics to write about, but also nothing to write about. I considered a community involvement phenomenon I’ve noticed, the RoA’s upcoming 20th re-independence anniversary, Erdogan’s (portentous?) fall from his (high) horse, the Arab world’s rumblings/developments and their relevance to us, and on and on. But WikiLeaks came to the rescue.
The released cable refers to the Turkish government’s anti-Armenia paranoia. Its information might even explain why they tie Armenians in to the PKK and Kurdish stirrings in general. The key quote: “Ankara was basing its suspicions on the meticulous population registry (nufus kutugu) of family lineage which, among other things, shows how many citizens—especially concentrated in certain regions of the east and southeast—actually have an Armenian background underneath their forebears’ voluntary or forced conversions or adoptions during the period when Armenians were being deported and murdered en masse by the Ottoman authorities and local Muslim bands.”
So, the Turkish government knows—far better than any Armenian or Armenian organization—how many crypto-Armenians there are in Turkey. And this doesn’t even include, presumably, those forcibly de-Armenianized during the bulk (and earlier part) of the Ottoman Empire’s existence.
So it’s time for our Ph.D. candidates to start digging up the documentation in the nufus kutugu and compiling massive family trees. Simultaneously, Armenians visiting the western, occupied, part of our homeland should start a hair collection. They should get a strand of hair from any crypto-Armenians they encounter, along with any family information they can (or feel safe enough) to provide, including village of family origin. Then, let the DNA analysis begin! (CSI to the rescue!) This genetic database, crossed with the genealogical data the Turks have been so kind to compile, and combined with equivalent genetic and genealogical data on Armenians outside Turkey (primarily, though not exclusively, in the diaspora), could generate another powerful legal argument in the pursuit of our rights.
Who knows? Perhaps a few million people might be afforded the opportunity to return to their roots. And these are in addition to the Hamshentsis who are already a known group of Islamized Armenians who still speak our mother tongue.
As a bonus, this kind of Western Armenia-directed effort might make some of the (mis)rulers of the RoA behave a little better towards diasporans who seek to set up shop and residence there when they realize the RoA is no longer “the only game in town” for diasporan attention.
Let’s start amassing data and reconnecting with the almost-forgotten portion of our homeland.
Garen Yegparian
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Garen thank you for bringing up the subject. We have in our family alone two great uncles that where converted to Islam and Turkified. Hachik became Mustafa and the oldest son Armenian name unknown but was known as gavur Ali. These two men had families and children which we know nothing about. the dificalty is getting people to submit samples.
My parents use to say those who have turned are even more fanatical muslim and Turk to prove to the populace of there complete conversion. One day I will go back and attempt at my sample collection.
Have a look at the science article in Discover (online) magazine entitled, Are Turks acculturated Armenians? at http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/12/are-turks-acculturated-armenians/
The article explains how, using DNA analysis, the genetic differences between Turks and Armenians is negligible, i.e. Turks (at least those in the eastern regions) are none other than descendants of assimilated Armenians. Quoting from the article, “the Muslim Turk population of Anatolia has a strong bias toward having been assimilated Armenians”.
Garen,
What if they are bald like you? How do we get the hair :)))
More seriously, there is no DNA on hair, only on the root of the hair.
Check the webpage of the Armenian DNA Project.
http://www.familytreedna.com/public/ArmeniaDNAProject/default.aspx
Best,
Hovann
Dave jan– thank you for the link.. that was very interesting…
Garen brought up a good point.. they should start doing DNA testing and once it is complete, the evidence of them Turks having to come from Armenian descends would be overwhelmingly apparent…
wonderful post, i love it