Istanbul porters back tradition - 3rd December 2021

Before sunrise, men form large crowds around the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul's ancient market. They are porters, a job which has been done since Ottoman times.

The porters deliver packs of clothes and fabrics on their backs, sometimes as heavy as 200 kilogrammes in weight. The huge loads are taken up narrow streets and steps to reach waiting tradespeople.

Shop owner Kamil Beldek relies on porters.

Kamil Beldek: "They provide logistical support so that the products we sell here reach our customers. They bring the products to our store here, and for that reason they are a part of us that we cannot give up on."

However, many small businesses have relocated outside the bazaar to get easier access. It's feared that Istanbul's porter tradition may now die.

This porter, Mehemet Toktas, followed his uncle into the profession. He is confident that the job is too tough for today's younger generations.

Mehmet Toktas: "If someone came to me and said they want to do this job, I would tell them they can't. The young people today can't do this work. It's really heavy. This job is heavy."

Necdet Sakaoglu specialises in the history of the porters. He's examined their role since the 19th century, and he's convinced that porters have always had the same fears.

Necdet Sakaoglu: "This has been said in every era. In 1835, if you had asked the porters, they would have also said that it was the end of this profession. They would have said 'this profession cannot continue to exist'. It's a way of blocking entry [into the profession], a way of not losing their job."

The porters agree among themselves exactly where they can deliver to, and who for.

Sakaoglu believes that the long tradition is here to stay, because there's no alternative.

Necdet Sakaoglu: "Even today there are a lot of porters, because in Istanbul, because of the structure of the city, the structure of its trade, but also because of its topography, porters are a necessity. The city cannot function without porters."