Bosnian communities in İstanbul continue to cling to the roots of their ancestors decades after first migrating to Turkey. Emerging at the end of the 19th and the start of the 20th century, Bosnian Muslims settled in large numbers, predominantly in the northwestern region of Marmara.
Today, thousands curiously are keeping their old Bosniak traditions alive.
Throughout Turkey there are towns named after Bosnia and its surrounding regions. İstanbul’s largest Bosniak population is located in Bayrampaşa, where almost all residents have Bosniak or Balkan ancestry.
Walking through the streets of Bayrampaşa, it is not unusual to hear Bosnian being spoken. Multiple replicas of the famous Old Bridge of Mostar are spread throughout the town. It is full of constant reminders that one is walking through a Bosniak part of İstanbul.
This particular community also differs from most in Turkey because a large portion of its residents are tall with light skin, eyes and hair. Many say that that is how they are recognized as Bosniaks.
To keep the spirit of the their culture alive even today, the residents of Bayrampaşa have associations and organize events to keep a constant tie with Bosnia, Sandzak, Macedonia and other Balkan regions where there is a large Bosniak population.
Wedding ceremonies are celebrated in a highly traditional manner. Everything from the dancing to the clothing is preserved and done as it was hundreds of years ago.
The small but famous Sancak Sports Club is also located in Bayrampaşa. Founded in 2005, it has already contributed seven basketball stars to the Turkish national team, as well as to other Turkish leagues. Club owner and former Turkish national player Zülfü Kosut says that the fact that so many Bosniaks are tall makes for a wide selection of talent in basketball. He also adds that most of the players speak Bosnian. This, he says, helps when they are calling out the game plan amongst each other on the court.
Other organizations such as the Bosna-Sandzak Association, work hard to keep certain traditions alive within the community. Contacts with the homeland are inevitable because there are always aspects that will keep their traditional roots dear and close to heart. The president of the association, Zahit Büyükbayrak, was happy to say that Bosniaks from all over the world have been visiting Bayrampaşa and strengthening ties. Many forms of charity also maintains cooperation with their homeland.
“We are always on call; this association is always open to whoever may need help. Though we focus a lot on keeping ties with Bosnia and Sandzak, and doing many charity drives and other forms of help for that region, we never turn our backs on someone who needs us, even outside the Balkans.” Büyükbayrak said.
When asked what they, as a community, think is key to keeping the Bosniak traditions alive in the future, they all agree on language.
“Our grandparents never spoke any Turkish, they always spoke to us in Bosnian, but now it’s easier for us and our children to communicate in Turkish, so unfortunately the Bosnian language is slowly starting to fade in some households.” Bekir Yaşar, owner of the family business Hot Dizayn said.
However, after the Balkan conflict in the 1990s, Turkish and Bosnian ties strengthened.
The Bosniak Balkan Federation plays another important role for the Bosniaks living within Turkey. They are the umbrella for all Balkan societies in the country. Organizing meetings and maintaining the overall organization of the Bosniaks and their communities. Founded in 2003 by Ahmed Kemal Baysak, it connects six main cities, İzmir, Adana, Adapazarı, İnegöl, Karamüsel and Sefaköy as well as 10 other associations.
The main goal of the Bosniak Balkan Federation is to better cultural and social as well economic relations with the Balkans. Additionally, it shows support from the Bosniaks in Turkey. They work for an overall goal of achieving a stronger Bosniak population and community all over the world.