OSMANLI SELANİK’İNDE YUNANLARIN TERS GİDEN ÇEYİZ HESABI SÖZLEŞMELERİ (19. YÜZYIL SONU – 20. YÜZYIL BAŞI)

Abstract

“Dowry Agreements” (Proikosymfona) drawn up in the Greek Community of Thessaloniki in the Ottoman Empire and went awry, were agreements that determined the dowry that the bride would give to the groom. Many times they became the subject of disputes, directly or indirectly, between the couple or other persons connected with them, jeopardizing marriages that had already taken place or even canceling marriages that were to take place. Ottoman state administration had no involvement in the management of affairs such as the dowry agreements of the Greeks. In the context of the “Millet” system of the Ottoman Empire, it could be seen how marriage evolved as a social phenomenon of that time, an aspect of the woman’s position in society vis-à-vis the man, the apparent purpose of the dowry and who was ultimately “secured” through it. The dowry, provided by woman’s family, secured her and the children she would bear.

“Dowry Agreements” (Proikosymfona) drawn up in the Greek Community of Thessaloniki in the Ottoman Empire and went awry, were agreements that determined the dowry that the bride would give to the groom. Many times they became the subject of disputes, directly or indirectly, between the couple or other persons connected with them, jeopardizing marriages that had already taken place or even canceling marriages that were to take place. Ottoman state administration had no involvement in the management of affairs such as the dowry agreements of the Greeks. In the context of the “Millet” system of the Ottoman Empire, it could be seen how marriage evolved as a social phenomenon of that time, an aspect of the woman’s position in society vis-à-vis the man, the apparent purpose of the dowry and who was ultimately “secured” through it. The dowry, provided by woman’s family, secured her and the children she would bear.