25. Today in 1920s Turkey: 9 October 1924 (Job Opening: Brothel Manager)

(Cartoon by Ratip Tahir Burak, Akbaba or “Vulture”/“White-bearded Old Man,” 9 October 1924, no. 193, page 4.)

Comments:
Ninety two years ago today Akbaba published a cartoon commenting on a recent news story gleaned from the daily newspapers. Ratip Tahir Burak’s signed cartoon (signature in upper right corner) directly illustrates the scandalous story. The text above the image informs the reader that the governor of the provincial town of Akhisar was looking to Istanbul to find qualified candidates for a newly created position at a newly opened establishment in his jurisdiction. The establishment—a brand spanking new brothel— was still awaiting an experienced madam to manage and run its daily operations.

Lampooning the public nature of this indecent “search” the cartoonist presents the reader with a familiar scene accented with incongruous details. The man beating on a giant drum is reminiscent of the traditional Ramadan drummer who is tasked with waking Muslims for their pre-fast meal every morning before dawn for the duration of the holy month. Rather than walking the streets of residential areas this drummer is operating outside of an Istanbul brothel. And instead of awakening people this drummer is announcing the Akhisar location’s pressing management vacancy. A potential candidate, a madam with a large ring of keys on her belt, steps outside her workplace to listen to the details of the drummer’s broadcast. To further delineate this “special” drummer from a regular, pious Ramadan drummer the cartoonist has portrayed him as a brutish, low-class country-bumpkin type (perhaps alluding to his provincial, Akhisar origins) with baggy clothes, missing teeth, a scruffy beard, and hairy, bare chest. It is possible that this drummer represents the now infamous “Mr. Governor.” He could also conceivably represent a fictitious drummer (and/or typified patron) from Akhisar advertising the positon in the faraway land of Istanbul.

English:
Above: From the Newspapers: “Mr. Governor is looking for a madam from Istanbul for a newly established brothel in Akhisar.
Below:
— We are seeking a madam for Akhisar’s new brothel… Interested parties should apply at the police headquarters!

Türkçe:
Üstte: Gazetelerden: “Akhisar’da açılan umumhane için kaymakam bey İstanbul’dan mama istiyor!..”
Altta:
— Akhisar’da açılan umumhane için patron aranıyor.. Taleb olanlar polis müdüriyetine müraacat etsinler!..

(Entire page, Akbaba or “Vulture”/“White-bearded Old Man,” 9 October 1924, no. 193, page 4.)