The First Active-duty Diplomat of the Ottoman Empire in South Africa: Ohannes Majakyan Bey (1867-1941)

Abstract

The first active-duty diplomat of the Ottoman Empire in South Africa, Ohannes Majakyan Bey, showed how an Ottoman diplomat of Armenian origin can successfully represent the last Turkish-Islamic empire in his diplomatic services. Of course, it was the Ottoman Empire that gave him this confidence ; however, adaptation of Armenian minorities to the state was also about the loyality of Armenians, whom was called Millet-i Sadiqa in the Ottoman society. The donations that Ohannes Majakyan Bey collected from South African Muslims for the Turkish soldiers who fought against the Italians in the Tripoli War was a manifestation of the respect for the Ottoman Caliphate in Africa. Another important point was here is how a diplomat of Armenian origin properly represented the Ottoman State regardless etnich and religious differences. The activities of Ohannes Majakyan, which were reflected in the newspaper headlines in South Africa, were best examples of serving his country with a merit-based approach above the Armenian identity. The Ottoman Empire took advantage of the non-Muslim diplomats like Ohannes Majakyan Bey, who served in the Sub-Saharan region, and rewarded him repeatedly. This paper aims to enlight the activities of Ouannes Majakyan Bey in the light of the archival documents in Turkey and South Africa.