The photographs, as well as the information in the book reveal both impressive documents and Samsun that we have never seen before. The book, which should be in the library of everyone who loves the sea and fish, contributes to the fishing history of our country as much as the history of “fishing” in Samsun.
For example, it reveals the direct effect of the “business migration” from the surrounding provinces to Samsun at the beginning of the 20th century on fisheries with these words: The pioneers of the formation of a fisherman society in Samsun were Karmakçılar who came from Trabzon and Rize in the 1900s to fish for sturgeon. Karmakçılar would stay here for four or five months in the period when they were making caviar in the mouths of Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak and by this means, they come to know these places very well. Karmakçılar returning to their hometowns when the season is over, give information to the other fishermen about the fish diversity and untouched hunting areas of Samsun.This way of transferring information attracted the attention of the people fishing in Trabzon and Rize, and people fishing in Trabzon and Rize together with many karmakçı started to settle in Samsun with the 1900s.”
Today’s Yalı Neighborhood is actually a fishing settlement and the story of its cemetery presents an important section from the life of fishermen: “Most of the men of the Yalı Neighborhood go to work as seasonal fish workers on fishing boats, especially in Istanbul. Just as the baklava chef would be asked from Antep in Turkey, the fishermen’s crew is also asked from Terme Yalı Neighborhood. Another feature of Yalı Neighborhood is its cemetery. According to some rumors, a lonely fisherman dies fifty years ago and this lonely fisherman is buried on beach within the borders of Yalı Neighborhoud. This is how the Yalı District Cemetery, which is next to the current Terme State Hospital, was created. Most of those buried in the cemetery of Yalı Neighborhood are fishermen or fishermen’s families.”
I must state that Güven Genç has put forth a complete review. A study that touches on everything from the neighborhood to the boatman, from the customs to the fish species, about the relationship between fish, fishing and Samsun…
Doğan HIZLAN
Turkish culture and critic writer
