Ahmet (English text: Ahmet)
Interviewed on May 18, 2019
Interviewer: Ayla Yackley
Ahmet was born in the early 1960s. He gives an in-depth interview here on his identity in Turkey. He calls himself a Turkish man of African descent. He often is asked by white Turkish people “where are you from?” He responds that he is from Torbalı and that he was born and raised in the city. His response often leads to unexpectedly rich conversations about race and ethnicity in Turkey.
Ahmet is one of three children, and he is the only male child. His parents were born near or in Izmir, but his grandparents were likely born enslaved. Ahmet’s father died when Ahmet was seven years old, and he doesn’t have distinct memories of conversations about his grandparents’ lives. In this interview, Ahmet talks about his life as a commercial farmer and the future of Afro-Turk identity and culture. The interview was filmed at his farm in Tulum.
Due to technical difficulties, the first part of the interview was recorded but not transcribed. The transcription of the second half of the interview is below. The transcription is in Turkish. Dr. Brown welcomes efforts to transcribe the first part of the interview and to translate the interview into English.
Similarly, since the interview was filmed outside, the sound quality is poor, especially when Ahmet is speaking. Listeners may have to increase the volume on their devices significantly or follow along in the transcript.
Interview notes – – The interview is in two parts, and each segment runs for about ten minutes. There is one piece of additional footage of the first take of the interview.
All videos are the property of Nikki Brown, the Afro-Turk Association, and AfroTurks.createuky.net. They may be used or reproduced for educational or academic research and scholarship purposes. For other commercial purposes, access and use require the expressed written consent of Nikki Brown and the Afro-Turk Association. Before using the interviews for research, educational, or commercial purposes, please email Nikki Brown for more information.
