Education constitutes an essential part of social life. Humans are constantly learning and applying their knowledge in their lives. Initially, individuals receive their first education from their families and the social environment in which they are born and raised. Later, they continue to receive education and learn from esteemed and respected teachers either in various educational institutions established by states or in their immediate surroundings.
In the Ottoman geography, schools where children received their initial education were called “Mahalle Mektebi,” “Taş Mektep,” or “Sıbyan Mektebi.” These schools were mostly located adjacent to neighborhood mosques. Since these institutions were composed of stone buildings, they were colloquially referred to as “taş mektep” (stone school). Every mosque and prayer room had these schools nearby. Almost every child of reading age in the neighborhood would attend these schools.
Contrary to common misconceptions, education and learning held a special significance in Ottoman society. Special ceremonies and celebratory parades were organized for children starting school to make them feel privileged.
Families would host feasts for children starting school and send gifts to the school’s teachers. Additionally, sweets, simit (a type of bread), and other treats that children enjoyed were distributed to other students at the school. Family members would clean the house and make special preparations. Great care was taken to ensure that the child’s first day of school coincided with an auspicious religious day. Kandil days (holy nights) were particularly favored as the starting day for school.
On the day their child was to start school, families would rise before dawn and make necessary preparations. A protective amulet with a page of the Quran written on it would be hung around the child’s neck, and a blue bead (nazar boncuğu) would be attached to the string of their hat. In the early hours of the morning, they would visit the tombs of Eyüp Sultan and Fatih, offer prayers, and make supplications.
After visiting the tombs, they would return home, and the other students of the school would gather in front of the house of the student who was starting school. The schoolteacher and students would form a parade to take the new student to school, reciting “amin” and offering prayers. This ceremonial beginning of school, accompanied by a procession, was known as the “amin alayı” or “bed-i besmele.”
In preparation for the parade, a decorated horse or mule would be waiting in front of the child’s house. The child would be placed on the animal, marking the beginning of the ceremony. The prayer leaders would offer supplications for the child, and the people in the parade, as well as other students, would respond with “amin, amin.”
At the forefront of the procession, the Arabic letter “Elif” would be carried on an embroidered pillow. Following that, someone would carry a cushion and a lectern (rahle) on which the child would place their Quran. Behind them, the child on horseback would follow, and behind the child, there would be the schoolteacher, the teacher’s assistants, prayer leaders, and “amin” responders. The child’s family, neighborhood friends, neighbors, and other people from the community would also participate in the procession.
Upon arriving at the school, the parade known as “amin alayı” would stop, and the teacher’s assistants would help the student dismount from the horse and guide them into the school. Inside the school, the child would first greet the teacher by kissing their hand and then sit on the cushion prepared for them. The teacher, starting the lesson with the Basmala (saying “Bismillah” – “In the name of Allah”), would point to the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, “Elif,” and pronounce its name and sound. Following this, the teacher would say, “Today’s lesson and what you will learn are this much. If you forget, I will pull your ears.” The teacher would then share a lighthearted remark with the child.
After the ceremony, the family would share a meal that they had prepared. Gifts and allowances would be distributed to everyone who participated in the parade, including the teacher.
The “amin alayı” or “bed-i besmele” ceremonies would create an unforgettable memory for children starting school, making them feel special throughout their lives. The fact that the ceremony was practiced by everyone and held special significance in the eyes of the community was a testament to how valuable education, schools, and knowledge were in Ottoman society.
For children beginning school through these ceremonies, school was never perceived as a place to fear or be anxious about. As a result, children would eagerly attend school and show more enthusiasm and determination in their studies and education.
The “amin” parades served as a true expression of our society’s maximal emphasis on education and learning. In Turkish society, learning and teaching have always been considered noble and respected endeavors. Our society’s deep respect for education has produced valuable individuals who have left their mark on history and contributed to its construction. Education has been regarded as a sacred and noble pursuit in our society. Societies that prioritize education from an early age have consistently been more prosperous, productive, and innovative. With this tradition, great civilizations have been built. Our history holds numerous lessons about education and teaching.
