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HUL236: Festive Gatherings in the Ottoman Palace (Courtlymeclis (Attended…
HUL236: Festive Gatherings in the Ottoman Palace
Meclis (majlis)
Formal
if Sultan was presnt
Informal
if Sultan was absent
Sponsored by Ottoman rulers
Istanbul and elsewhere
16th c. and early 17th c.
Ottoman splendour was famous far and wide
bezm
bezm-i-shahi or bezm-i-sultani
Limited size
musical performances
poetry recitals
viewing artistically decorated manuscripts
No rigid rules
Sultan
Musahibs (friends)
Appealed to Four senses
Ear
Music
Taste
Food
Drinks
Eye
Gardens
Flower vases
Smell
Incense
Rose water
Glossary
mushaibs
friends
isret
meetings of poets
divan
collection of poems
tezkere
poets' biographies
enderun
inner palace
Sources
miniature paintings
manuscript illustrations
Exception: Sultan Selim II (1566-1574) seen drinking his wine
dignity and gravity of the monarch were major concerns
mostly depicted as a spectator in the middle of the meclis
unless he performs an act of heroism
if sultan not present in the frame
secondary figures got greater freedom to move around
Courtly
meclis
excludes public participation
unlike festivals and public festivities
public mostly spectators
strictly by invitation
all attendees participated
even if only to converse
only monarch could be spectator
could also be organised by
princes
viziers
governors
adherence to hierarchy
protocol
Morrocan court was less conscious to protocol
personal competence might affect courtly hierarchies
Ottoman rulers desired to be known as poets/ musicians
courtiers sponsored their
divan
Venue
usually a garden in Topkapi Palace, Istanbul
after mid-day meal
after evening prayers
during travel
in sultan's tent
vizir's tent
occassionally
palaces outside Istanbul
best venue
on grass in the spring
flowers in full bloom
Attended by
specialists
poetry
music
pages from the
enderun
serve refreshments
Food
dried fruits
fresh fruits
pears
quinces
pomegranates
pilaf
with saffron
yahni
meat stew
munbar
meat dish
kebabs
borek
pastries
memuniye
savoury pastries
soaked in syrups
Drinks
wine
sherbets
flavoured with
aloes
amber
honey
jasmine
coffee wasn't a favourite
diminished sleep
reduced sexual vigour
juices
sing
play instrument
sultan
musahibs
or guests
saki
pages in charge of service
mutrib
musicians
turkish harp
pipe
tambourine
reed flute
guitar
drum
violin
small drum
dulcimer
hanende
singers
micmeregerdan
bearer of incense and perfumes
flowers in vases
annointed room with rosewater
Rare
dancers
women dancers only in intimate gatherings
men dancers in public
jugglers and acrobats
rare in gatherings involving the sultan
clowns
shadow plays
storytellers
stories with religious topics
Contexts
royal weddings
circumcisions
small-scale literary gatherings
musical gatherings