Cabotage and sea folklore

According to the Treaty of Lausanne signed on July 24, 1923, capitulations were abolished and we gained the right to cabotage. Türkiye being a peninsula country to a large extent and having a coastline of 8333 kilometers, our peninsula-located country gained great opportunities for maritime. According to the law numbered 815 enacted on April 19, 1926, it was made mandatory for only Turkish boats to provide service between Turkish ports.

During the Ottoman Empire, the empire did not have the right to cabotage. However, the capitulations were abolished under the Treaty of Lausanne signed on July 24, 1923. Thus, Turkey gained the right to cabotage. Considering that Türkiye is largely a peninsula country and has a coastline of 8,333 kilometers, this provided great opportunities for Turkish maritime.

In maritime history, it is stated that a star cluster shaped like a camel, called “Eight Stars” by Turkish scholars, was considered unlucky. Seafarers knew this star cluster well. They would not take their ships to the direction it was located, and would not conduct military operations. They would avoid coming face to face with this star cluster in war. In the centuries when there were no current roads or railways, our soldiers were transported by sea to the closest point where the war would take place. The history of this Kastamonu folk song dates back to the Crimean wars:

“The ships lying in front of Sevastopol

The world moans as the ball is thrown

Brave men are going to the army

Mommy, mommy, don't cry to me.

If I don't come, don't tie me to the ground "

We have idioms and proverbs related to the sea. First, let's give a few examples of idioms: When a storm suddenly breaks out at sea, it is called "Sea rode" . When it means a difficult job, it is called "digging a well by the sea" . Old sailors who have seen the light of day are also called " Sea wolf ".

The idioms used for those who became sick and sick because of the rocking of the ship were “Seasick ”, for people with a lot of money, “The sea has sand and money ”, for something that is uncertain whether it will be obtained or not, “ Fish in the sea”, for a very small part of something compared to its original, “A handful of water from the sea”, for having difficulty adjusting to a new environment, “Returning to a fish out of the sea” were used. Those who overcame great difficulties but failed due to an unimportant reason were said to have “Crossed the sea and drowned on the shore”. For very unlucky or unlucky people, they said, “If he went into the sea, he would dry up”.

What is meant by one of our proverbs about the sea: “Do a good deed and throw it into the sea; if the fish don’t know, the Creator knows”?

There should be no expectation of reward for good deeds. There are good deeds that Allah rewards even if the servant does not show his/her value. There are also some good deeds that may not directly concern people or the person to whom the good deed is done may not be aware of it. Good deeds are like charity. They should be secret and without expecting anything in return.

Let's add a few more proverbs about the sea:

“There are always waves on the seaside.”

“Fish in the sea cannot be bargained with.”

“He who falls into the sea will embrace the snake.”

“You can't enter the sea without a watermelon rind falling into the water.”

They say, "If the sea were yoghurt, the one with the spoon would eat it." The sea is loved, but not without care. Also, the sea is not without waves, and the heart is not without love.

Dear readers, the original word is “Eyyâm ola,” or “Hey ya Mevla.” Over time, it has become “Heyamola.” It is the phrase that sailors say loudly and with one voice, meaning “come on, pull hard,” when they are pulling up the anchor of a ship or pulling an oar or something heavy.