A Karakas Speaks: Interviews with a Member of Turkey's Crypto-Judaic "Dönme" Community

by C.M. Kosemen

Since the late 20th century, academic interest in the crypto-Judaic group known as the Dönmes has grown and intensified. Most studies resulting from this interest have concentrated on the Dönmes' place in a world of intersecting identities, and on the nature of their secret religion. In this process, however, narratives by actual members of this community have been few and far-between. This work, based on a series of interviews with a member of the Karakas group - one of the three main Dönme sects - aims to fill that gap. Complete with introducing chapters on the history of the Dönmes, and in particular the Karakas group; richly annotated with footnotes that explain local nuances and provide additional resources; this book will appeal both to specialist workers, as well as general readers interested in this curious chapter at the intersection of Ottoman, Judaic and contemporary Turkish history. Previously-unpublished intra-communal religious documents, calendars and partial genealogies of the Karakas sect are also reproduced in this volume.

148 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

C. M. Kosemen also writes as Nemo Ramjet.


C.M. Kosemen is an artist and independent researcher born in Ankara, Turkey. He studied at Cornell University, Istanbul’s Sabancı University and holds a Masters’ degree from London’s Goldsmiths College in Documentary Film and Media Studies.

Kosemen’s areas of interest include surreal art, Mediterranean history, palaeontology, evolution, zoology and visual culture.

As an artist, Kosemen is affiliated with the Empire Project Gallery of Istanbul. His art has been displayed in exhibits in Catania, Vienna, Ulcinj, Istanbul, Ankara, London and Tel Aviv.

As a researcher, Kosemen’s book credits include Osman Hasan and the Tombstone Photographs of the Dönmes, from Libra Books of Istanbul. Copies of this book have been purchased by leading universities and research institutes of the world. It has won the 2016 Eduard-Duckesz History Prize.

Kosemen’s other book credits include All Yesterdays: Unique and Speculative Views of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals, and the Cryptozoologion, the Biology, Evolution and Mythology of Hidden Animals from Irregular Books of London.

Kosemen was also an editor for Benetton’s Colors magazine and worked in various advertising agencies.