When a carriage arrived with a black man sitting in the footman’s place, we knew it carried ladies from the Sultan’s harem, with a eunuch in charge. While not every black man is a eunuch, all eunuchs in the palace are black. They are taken from Africa or Arabia as children and are purchased like other slaves.
The Sultan’s wives and sisters often attend the Selamlik ceremony, but they have a special section inside the mosque. This area is hidden behind screens, and they are not allowed to enter through the same door as the Sultan. He always prays alone.
Only the Sheik-ul-Islam, the highest religious leader in Islam, or a high-ranking cleric chosen to represent him, is allowed to pray with the Sultan. This is required to complete the religious rituals properly A Sacred Greeting to the Sultan.
The Powerful Chief Eunuch
The head of the harem, called the kizlar aghasi (chief eunuch), holds an important position. He ranks just below the Grand Vizier and the Sheik-ul-Islam. At the Selamlik, he was present with four sultanas (the Sultan’s wives or sisters). Each sultana arrived in her own carriage, pulled by white horses and accompanied by guards. Each was also attended by her personal ladies-in-waiting.
The Sultan’s Sons Join the Procession
Three of the Sultan’s sons rode on horseback alongside the pashas who formed part of his royal bodyguard. One of the younger sons, around ten years old, had his own small carriage, drawn by ponies. It reminded us of something from a fairy tale—like the carriage used by Tom Thumb.
This young prince was accompanied by his tutor, an army officer, and a boy of the same age who served as his aide-de-camp. The little prince wore a miniature colonel’s uniform, complete with a sword and tiny revolvers. His aide wore matching attire, just like the officers who serve his father private guided sofia tours.
A Glimpse of the Sultan’s Daughter
Another carriage, one of the last to arrive, carried a small girl—one of the Sultan’s daughters. She was accompanied by a woman with an unveiled face, dressed in a violet satin gown. This made it clear that she was a foreigner. We were told she was the young princess’s French governess.
We saw her notice a crippled beggar standing near the palace gate. She quietly sent one of her eunuchs to give the man a coin. This small act of kindness showed her gentle character.
