BACIYAN-I RUM

15 September 2020

BACIYAN-I RUM

World's Oldest Women's Organization

Baciyan-ı Rum, meaning Anatolian Women's Union, is allegedly the world's first women's organization founded by Fatma Bacı, the wife of Ahi Evran, in order to organize and develop women, whose members are migrant Turkmen women in Anatolia in the 13th century.

The word "bacı", which is widely used in many cities of Anatolia, means sister, and the word "Rum" means Anatolia.

Ottoman Historian Aşıkpaşazade mentioned Baciyan-ı Rum for the first time in the 15th century in his work titled "Tevarih-i Al-i Osman", in which he describes the process from the establishment of the Ottoman State to 1478 in a simple language.

In this book, which is also the first chronological work written in Turkish in Aşıkpaşazade, he divided the groups formed by immigrants in 13th century Anatolia into four groups. Among these groups were; Gaziyan-ı Rum, Ahiyan-ı Rum, Abdalan-ı Rum and Baciyan-ı Rum, Veterans warrior class, Ahiler craftsman class, Abdallar dervishes and Bacılar represent women.

Although many European researchers were amazed that women came together in those years to form a non-governmental organization and did not accept that Turkish women did not become conscious, women in Anatolia have been involved in very important military, political and social activities and have a say in all matters.

Baciyan-ı Rum, who contributed to the recognition of Islam and Turkification of the mother tongue helped Anatolian women fight alongside their husbands in defense of their homeland against enemies when necessary. It has supported the development of women at many points from culture to arts, from social life to economic life.

Anatolian notables who attach great importance to science and art have provided private working places for the women belonging to the Baciyan-ı Greek organization and many professions and handicrafts were performed by women here, from tent making to felt making, to knitting and weaving rugs and carpets. Baciyan-ı Rum is an organization that has met the education needs of many women in the fields of professional and technical issues, social life and moral values.

They have contributed to the development of benevolence and integrity among Greek-Cypriot women and have been responsible for their education until their marriages by protecting orphans and homeless girls. In addition, they have provided many social services such as caring for orphans, helping those with financial difficulties and marrying young women.

Today, Turkish women who stand out with their success from astrophysics to trade, from art to science; Baciyan-ı Rum, one of the oldest organizations that shed light on its historical and social adventure, reflects the active role of Turkish women in social and economic life since the 13th century in the best way.