CYPRUS MUKHTAR MEDAL DOOR EMBLEM UNDER BRITISH ADMINISTRATION KGV REIGN 1910 - 1936
€850.00
CYPRUS MUKHTAR MEDAL DOOR EMBLEM KGV REIGN 1910 - 1936
This emblem was given to the appointed Mukhtar, by the british authorities, to place on his home door, to be visible to anyone requested his services. When another Muhtar was elected after one year, he returned it in order to be given to the new appointed village leader.
The emblem dates GR 1910-1936 and is very rare to find!
The Mukhtar was the appointed community leader in Cypriot villages.
Some of his duties included; managing postal services, roads, keeping public order, signing petitions, issuing licences and certificates, certifying photos for passports, assisting with the collection of taxes, reporting serious crimes or accidents and keeping records of births and deaths. The Mukhtar usually had the assistance of two to four villager elders known as Azades (Azas).
The appointment of village Mukhtars goes back to the Ottoman era. Each village in Cyprus had a Mukhtari who was either Christian or Muslim, according to the majority of the population of the village. Typically, the Mukhtari and his Azades were elected every two years by the male population of each village. Elections for the Christian and the Muslim communities were held separately and usually during the months of February and March. The elected candidate was required to commence his duties as Mukhtari from the 1st April.
The Cyprus Gazette (published in 1907 by the British Government) outlined the rules for the appointment of a village Mukhtari.
