Köleler

Köleler is a term in Turkish that translates to "slaves." Historically, the concept of kölelik (slavery) existed in various forms across different societies, including the Ottoman Empire, which encompassed Turkish-speaking populations. Slavery in the Ottoman context involved individuals who were captured in war, bought from slave markets, or born into servitude. Enslaved people performed a range of roles, from domestic service and agricultural labor to administrative positions and even military service in elite units like the Janissaries.

The legal and social status of köleler varied over time and depending on their role. While they lacked the freedoms of free citizens, they were not entirely without rights and protections under Ottoman law, which distinguished between different categories of enslaved people. Manumission, the act of freeing a slave, was a common practice, often facilitated by owners as an act of piety or as a reward for loyal service. The institution of slavery gradually declined in the Ottoman Empire during the 19th century, influenced by international abolitionist movements and internal reforms, though its complete eradication took time. The term "köleler" today primarily refers to historical instances of slavery rather than a contemporary social reality.