Canbeg

Canbeg (Turkish: Canbeğli/Canbeğlu) is a Kurdish tribe native to Bakur Kurdistan (Bakur meaning “north[ern]” in Kurdish), mostly populating Central Anatolia and Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. Members of the tribe mostly adhere to Sunnism of Islam but some are Alevi. There’s also few Zaza/Zazaki Canbeg members.

It is said that the members of this tribe are Ekradı Türkmen (Kurdified Turkmens) and they have been living the Transhumance (Turkish: Konargöçerlik) nomadic lifestyle.

Etymology

Canbeg’s name simply comes from the Konya district “Cihanbeyli”. The Kurds of Central Anatolia (Kurdish: Kurdên Anatolya Navîn) are the Kurdish people who have immigrated and been in Central Anatolia. Members of the Canbeg tribe are one of these Central Anatolian Kurds.

History

Sources:

Amidst the various discussions found in the sources, it is evident that these conversations are firmly grounded in material facts and are derived from the classification of tribes settled in the region based on Ottoman tribal sources. The Cihanbeyli Kurds, known as the Canbeğlü tribe in these sources, are commonly identified as Türkmen Ekradı (Kurdified Turkmen). Their lineage can be traced back to the Beğdili Tribe, which originally resided in the northern Aleppo region during the 10th and 11th centuries before embarking on a migration journey that led them to settle around Eskişehir and Ankara, much like other Turkmen tribes. During the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim, a significant shift occurred as Kurdish emerged as the dominant language alongside the adoption of a semi-sedentary lifestyle. This transition was further bolstered by the influx of other tribes into the Turkmen communities, aimed at countering the influence of Alevism and promoting Sunni practices.

In addition to the Canbeğlü tribe, other tribes such as Mikailli, Şeyhbizinli, Modanlı, Atmanlı, Hemanlı, Sehanlı, Zeyveli, and Geygel have also established settlements in Eastern Anatolia and Southern Azerbaijan during various historical periods, with their roots deeply intertwined with these regions.

As the 1850s unfolded, the Haymana-Cihanbeyli region became a melting pot of nomads originating from eastern Anatolia and Southern Azerbaijan. The Canbeg Tribe and eight other tribes/communities fell under the administrative control. While these communities had been traditionally governed by tribal chiefs throughout Ottoman history, the proclamation of Tanzimat-ı Hayriye in 1839 ushered in a new era. The state's intention was to regulate the nomadic groups and integrate them into the standard administrative system alongside other citizens, ultimately leading to a gradual loss of their administrative autonomy. This integration process accelerated, culminating in the transformation of the nomadic communities in the Cihanbeyli-Haymana area into an independent district governed under the Aşayir-i Seb'a District Governorship, also known as the Seven Tribe District Governorships. This shift marked a significant departure from traditional tribal governance, causing a decline in influence for tribal chiefs like Alişan Bey.

Despite these transformative changes, the nomads residing in approximately 103 villages in Central Anatolia's Cihanbeyli-Haymana region have continued to sustain themselves through a combination of agriculture and animal husbandry. Their resilience is further demonstrated by their dedication to preserving their unique social and cultural structures, alongside their active involvement in agricultural practices and trade. Through their enduring commitment, these nomadic communities have not only preserved the essence of Ottoman and Turkish-Islamic culture but also played a pivotal role in enriching Central Anatolia with these enduring traditions. By shedding light on these intersecting characteristics, our study stands as a valuable contribution to the intricate tapestry of nomadic literature in Anatolia.

Canbeg migrations

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In the 19th century, the Cihanbeyli-Haymana region was a hub of activity, with the main occupation of the community centered around animal husbandry. Nomads in this area would migrate from plateaus to barracks, and vice versa, every six months. This nomadic lifestyle often led to clashes with local inhabitants, showcasing tribal tensions. Of particular note was the Canbeg (Beğdili) Tribe, which shared a unique identity with the Ulus Tribe structure and had established a longstanding tradition of "mutual management of the situation" that benefited both sides since the early days of the Ottoman Empire.

Among the eight tribes in the Cihanbeyli-Haymana area, the Cihanbeyli Tribe and its leader, Alişan Bey, were prominently documented in state records. Alişan Bey, recognized for his activism, obedience, and efficiency, was appointed as the leader of the Cihanbeyli Tribe as early as 1830, earning him the title of "mir-i tribe." Historical records depict Alişan Bey as a shrewd individual who stood up for his tribe against state pressures. When the state issued orders in 1827 and 1828 for displaced individuals to return to their original homelands, towns, and villages, Alişan Bey's firm response highlighted his leadership qualities, stating, "Those who wish to return to their homeland may do so, but we do not force those who do not wish to."

As the Ottoman Empire shifted towards centralization during the Tanzimat period, the tribal aristocracy that spanned from Central Asia to Anatolia faced challenges in maintaining their authority. The Cihanbeyli Tribe was eventually exiled to the Malatya Region. However, when members of the Drejan Tribe, a Kurdish tribe in the region, oppressed Armenians and Alevis in Malatya, Sivas, and Urfa, the Cihanbeyli Tribe grew stronger. As a result, they were exiled to the Raqqa province in Syria due to deemed threats to the empire. Present-day descendants of the tribe residing in Konya, Malatya, and Raqqa are aware of their roots tracing back to the Cihanbeyli region of Konya.

Settlements

The Canbegan tribe is known for its vast network of tribes hailing from various regions such as Central Anatolia and East Anatolia. The tribe has a long list of member tribes scattered across these areas, making it impossible to list all of them in one place.

For a comprehensive list of the tribes affiliated with the Canbegan tribe, one can consult reliable sources such as the website Nisanyan. This website provides detailed information about the different tribes associated with the Canbegan tribe and their respective locations in Central and East Anatolia.

The website use real human sources to verify the locations and affiliations of the tribes within the Canbegan tribe, making it a reliable source of information on this ancient tribal network.

Sources

• A Literature Review: The Relationship Between the Ottoman Empire and Tribes in the XIXth Century.
• ^ This one is pretty much a longer and much more detailed version of what’s been said in this wiki about the Canbeg and their migrations+other tribes.
• About the Seven Tribe District Governorship
• State-Tribe relations of the Ottoman empire during the 16th-17th century.
• The Demise of the Kurdish Emirates.
• The Kurdish Tribes of the Ottoman Empire.
• The Alevis.
• Ekradı Türkmen (Kurdified Turkmen) experience.
• Information about the Ekradı Türkmen (Kurdified Turkmen) people.
• ^ About this source, it also includes old Ottoman archives in the language Ottoman Turkish talking about these people.
• More info about Alişan Bey.

References

1. Teknecik, Kâhta
2. Kurdish tribes
3. Eskitaş, Kahta
4. Kalecik, Göle
5. Beşikli, Kahta
6. Yeniköy, Göle
7. Dowra
8. Bostanlı, Kahta
9. List of townlands of County Leitrim
10. Adalı, Kahta
11. İkizce, Kahta
12. Yapraklı, Kahta
13. Ballı, Kahta
14. Bozpınar, Kahta
15. Erikli, Kahta
16. Dumlu, Kahta
17. Ekinci, Kahta
18. Eceler, Kahta
19. Kavaklı, Kahta