Kormakitis

Kormakitis (Cypriot Maronite Arabic: Kurmajit; Greek: Κορμακίτης, Kormakítis; Turkish: Kormacit or Koruçam) is a small village in Cyprus. It is under the de facto control of Northern Cyprus. Kormakitis is one of four traditionally Maronite villages in Cyprus, the other three being Asomatos, Agia Marina and Karpaseia.[4] The Maronites of Kormakitis traditionally speak their own variety of Arabic called Cypriot Maronite Arabic (CMA) in addition to Greek and recently Turkish.[5] Cape Kormakitis is named after the village.

Kormakitis

Kurmajit
Kormakitis
Coordinates: 35°20′34″N 33°00′39″E
Country (de jure) Cyprus
 • DistrictKyrenia District
Country (de facto) Northern Cyprus[1]
 • DistrictGirne District
Elevation168 m (551 ft)
Population
 (2011)[3]
 • Total309

All of the remaining Maronites villagers are elderly.[6] The Republic of Cyprus government gives those who stayed in the north pensions of $670 a month per couple and around $430 for an individual. It also pays instructors to teach CMA, and funds week-long summer visits by young Maronites to put them in touch with their communal roots.[7] Maronites also receive help from the United Nations. Every two weeks UN troops make the trip from Nicosia to deliver food, water, fuel and medical supplies across the border to the north’s Maronite population. The UN aid convoy is manned by soldiers from the 12 Regiment Royal Artillery. Aid is funded by the Republic of Cyprus government but is delivered by the UN.[8]

During the weekends the population of Kormakitis increases to more than 600 as displaced former residents return to visit relatives and celebrate Mass. Access has been made easier since 2003 when the Turkish Cypriot authorities relaxed rules on visits to Northern Cyprus. Many Maronites who were displaced from Kormakitis have renovated and upgraded the village and homes for weekend use.[5]

Etymology

There are several versions for the name of the village. The most common instance of folk etymology is related to the Maronites who arrived from Kour, Batroun. Feeling nostalgic, they used to repeat the sentence "Nahni jina wa Kour ma jit" "We came here (to Cyprus) but Koura hasn't (came)".[4] Another instance of folk etymology is related to the Phoenician settlement of Kormia. The present village would take its name from the expression Kormia jdide, or "New Kormia".[4] These hypotheses seem consistent with the pronunciation of the village in Cypriot Greek (Κορματζίτης /Korma'dʒitis/) and Cypriot Turkish (Kormacit /Korma'dʒit/). The standard Greek name Kormakitis is an attempt to adjust the name to standard Greek pronunciation, whereas the new Turkish name Koruçam was made up after 1974 for political reasons.

History
See also: History of Cyprus

Middle Ages
See also: Cyprus in the Middle Ages

Originally from Lebanon and Syria, today's Maronite community in Cyprus was shaped by four successive waves of emigration that started in the 8th century. With the Islamic conquests radiating outward from the Arab Peninsula, many Maronites abandoned Syria and Lebanon and settled in Cyprus. In 938, the destruction of St Maron's Monastery in Lebanon prompted a second wave of refugees. Another three centuries passed and Crusader king Guy of Lusignan purchased Cyprus from Richard the Lionheart, leading the former to import Maronite warriors to the island to protect its coastlines. The last wave of emigration came 100 years later when Acre, last outpost of the Crusader edifice, collapsed leading to the last migration of Maronites to Cyprus.[4] Kormakitis was originally built near Cape Kormakitis, but because of Arab raids the village was moved to its current location. The new location of the village was chosen because it provided better protection against raids and contained an ample supply of water and lush vegetation for agriculture and livestock.[9] During the period of 1191-1489, the village of Kormakitis was one of the richest fiefs of the island, which belonged to the French feudal Denores. The Maronites at the time held 60 villages with a reported number of 60,000 and was the second largest community after the Greek Cypriots.[10] In 1570, Kormakitis had 850 inhabitants.

The Governor of Cyprus, Sir Hugh Foot and his wife on an official visit to Kormakitis with the Vicar General of the Maronites.

Ottoman and British administration

During the Ottoman rule of Cyprus, the number of residences decreased; in 1841, there were only 200 inhabitants. Villagers who remained were highly taxed and harassed by Ottoman Turks and Greek Cypriots alike. The number of Maronites across Cyprus decreased simultaneously, in 1572 there were between 7000 and 8000 Maronites, who lived in 23 villages, in 1596 there were 4.000 Maronites, living in 19 villages.[11] Under the British administration in Cyprus, the Maronite Community was promoted by the British government, whose policy was to support minorities.[4] This resulted in better living conditions for the population of Kormakitis. By 1910 Kormakitis relied on agriculture and livestock, which produced grain, olives, beans, cotton, cocoons and other crops.[9]

Contemporary era
See also: Cyprus dispute

After Cyprus gained independence in 1960 projects were carried out within the village. In 1962 the village school was constructed, which was able to enrol 210 students and employ seven teachers. In 1965 the village was connected to the electric grid and houses were connected to water mains for the first time.[9]

Following years of intercommunal violence, on 15 July 1974, there was an attempted coup d'état led by the Greek military junta to unite the island with Greece. The coup ousted president Makarios III and replaced him with pro-enosis nationalist Nikos Sampson.[12] On 20 July 1974, the Turkish army invaded the island in response to the coup d'état. Despite the restoration of constitutional order and the return of Archbishop Makarios III to Cyprus in December 1974, the Turkish troops remained on the island occupying the northeastern portion of the island.[13] This resulted in the island being divided into its Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities respectively. Many of Kormakitis' residents choose to migrate to the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus.

Before the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Kormakitis had around 1,000 inhabitants.[14] The number of Maronites has since decreased. It is estimated that between 100 and 165 Maronites remained in the TRNC.[14][15] The decline in population has been attributed to a lack of jobs and secondary education, leading to migration, migrating mainly to Nicosia and Limassol.[15][16] During the school year 1999–2000, the Kormakitis Primary School was forced to close down, due to a lack of pupils, providing evidence of Kormakitis' declining young population.[17][18]

In 2006, TRNC officials announced that Maronites from the village of Kormakitis have been given an opportunity to return to the village. This has been made possible by the fact that the houses and properties in question at Kormakitis, were not seized by Turkish settlers and Turkish Cypriots during the aftermath of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. However, the Maronites have to meet a certain criteria. Firstly, they need to be the legitimate owner of a house or property in the village to be allowed to resettle. Secondly, they also have to move back to the village and reside there. Maronites are not allowed to reclaim their property and then commute to and from Kormakitis to the Republic of Cyprus controlled areas.[19] Some 40 people, mainly elderly couples, meanwhile, have permanently resettled in the village.[5]

Climate

Kormakitis has a hot Semi-arid climate with long, dry and hot summers and cool winters with mixed weather of sunny spells and rain.

Climate data for Kormakitis
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 14
(57)		 15
(59)		 18.5
(65.3)		 23.5
(74.3)		 28.5
(83.3)		 32.5
(90.5)		 35.5
(95.9)		 35
(95)		 32.5
(90.5)		 27.5
(81.5)		 22
(72)		 16.5
(61.7)		 25
(77)
Daily mean °C (°F) 10
(50)		 10.5
(50.9)		 12.5
(54.5)		 16.5
(61.7)		 21.5
(70.7)		 25.5
(77.9)		 28
(82)		 28
(82)		 25
(77)		 21
(70)		 16
(61)		 11.5
(52.7)		 18
(64)
Average low °C (°F) 6
(43)		 6
(43)		 7
(45)		 8.5
(47.3)		 15
(59)		 18
(64)		 20
(68)		 20.5
(68.9)		 18
(64)		 15
(59)		 10.5
(50.9)		 7
(45)		 12
(54)
Source: www.in.weather.com [20]

Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Cyprus
Year Maronites Greek Cypriots Turkish Cypriots Total Notes
1570 Not available Not available Not available 850
1831 91 - - 91 Male population only
1841 Not available Not available Not available 200
1891 423 - 7 430 [21]
1901 503 - 10 513 [22]
1911 617 - 11 628 [23]
1921 666 - 10 676 [24]
1931 730 - 6 736 [25]
1946 889 5 - 894 [26]
1960 1093 18 - 1111 [27]
1973 1257 - - 1257 [28]
1996 220 - - 220 [29] De jure population, including other nationals
2006 195 - - 195 [30] De jure population, including other nationals

Architecture

Churches

Several churches and chapels have been built within Kormakitis and the surrounding fields. These churches and chapels belong to the Maronite Church, a denomination of the Catholic Church. Saint George's Church, located within Kormakitis was built in 1930. Devoted to the patron saint of the village the Church, construction started in 1900. The designs and plans of the church were prepared by the Maltese architect Fenec and the Maltese Civil Engineer Cafiero. The inhabitants of the village offered donations for the construction of the church. The church constituted as the official church of the Maronite Church of Cyprus, prior 1974. Today, Saint George's Church is used by the remaining inhabitants. Icons and religious items dating from the 12th century are located within the Cathedral.[31]

The Chapel of Saint George, often referred as Chapel of Saint George of the seeds, is a chapel situated near the Mediterranean Sea, north of Kormakitis. It was built in 1852. Every year, on 3 November, a Mass is celebrated by the Maronite Community dedicated to Saint George. This is done to coincide with the start of the agricultural season, the farmers pray to Saint George for a successful harvest. According to the tradition, after Mass, the Maronites have lunch by the sea to celebrate Saint George.[31]

The Chapel of the Holy Virgin is a small chapel situated in the west of the village. The chapel was thought to have been built in 1453. Recently renovated it is frequently visited.[31]

The Chapel of Saint George, often referred as Chapel of Saint George of the Nuns, is a chapel situated next to the monastery of the Franciscan sisters, in the center of the village. It was built in 1534 and was the first chapel to be built inside the village. The monastery of the Franciscan sisters was built in 1936, next to the village's square.[31]

See also

References
  1. In 1983, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus unilaterally declared independence from the Republic of Cyprus. The de facto state is not recognised by any UN state except Turkey.
  2. "kormacit route in Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus, Cyprus". MapMyRide. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  3. "KKTC 2011 Nüfus ve Konut Sayımı" [TRNC 2011 Population and Housing Census] (PDF) (in Turkish). TRNC State Planning Organization. 6 August 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 November 2013.
  4. "Kormakitis". Maronite Community of Cyprus. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013.
  5. Papapostolou, A. (23 May 2010). "Maronites in Cyprus try to revive old language". Greek Reporter. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  6. Leonidou, Leo (19 April 2005). "Government refuses to recognise elected Kormakitis mukhtar". Cyprus Mail.
  7. "Cyprus' Maronites celebrate news of pope's visit". The Washington Times. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  8. Webb, Andrea (May 2006). "Mercy Mission" (PDF). Soldier Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 August 2013.
  9. "Ιστορικό". Kormakitis.net. 1 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  10. "Catholic Community of Cyprus: The Maronite Community". Papal Visit to Cyprus. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012.
  11. Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael. "The Maronites of Cyprus" (PDF).
  12. "CYPRUS: Big Troubles over a Small Island". TIME. 29 July 1974.
  13. "The Turkish Invasion 1974". Nicosia Municipality. Archived from the original on 17 April 2013.
  14. Spinthourakis, Julia-Athena; et al. (November 2008). "Education Policies to Address Social Inequalities: Cyprus Country Report" (PDF). Department of Elementary Education. University of Patras. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  15. "Maronites hope for a unified Cyprus". YouTube. 6 June 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  16. Coleman, Gina. "A minority community with a rich history and culture" (PDF). InTouch: 26–27.
  17. "Annual Report 2008 of the Ministry of Education" (PDF). Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Education. 2008. p. 276.
  18. "Annual Report 2007 of the Ministry of Education" (PDF). Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Education. 2007. p. 252.
  19. Leonidou, John (10 January 2006). "Maronites ponder Kormakitis return". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010.
  20. "Climatology: Averages & Records for Kormakitis".
  21. Colonial Office (1893), "Cyprus: Report on the census of Cyprus, taken 6 April 1891," Mediterranean, No. 39. London: Colonial Office.
  22. Mavrogordato, Alexander (1901), "Report and general abstracts of the census of 1901, taken on 1 April 1901," Nicosia: Government Printing Office.
  23. Mavrogordato, Alexander (1912), "Report and general abstracts of the census of 1911, taken on 2 April 1911," London: Waterlow & Sons.
  24. Hart-Davis, C. H (1922), "Report and general abstracts of the census of 1921, taken on 24 April 1921," London: Waterlow & Sons.
  25. Hart-Davis, C. H (1932), "Report of the Census of 1931," Nicosia: Cyprus Government Printing Office.
  26. Percival, D.A. (1949), "Census of population and agriculture 1946 report," Nicosia: Cyprus Government Printing Office.
  27. Republic of Cyprus (1962), "Census of population and agriculture, 1960," Nicosia: Government Printing Office.
  28. Ministry of Finance (1973), "Micro-Census (April 1973) Population by Village and Ethnic Group, Volume I." Nicosia: Department of Statistics and Research.
  29. TRNC Prime Ministry Undersecretariat of State Planning Organization, "15 December 1996 General Population Census Results (Summary), 26, November 1997," Nicosia.
  30. TRNC 2006 census preliminary results: www.devplan.org
  31. "Churches". Maronite Community of Cyprus. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013.
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