Traces of a Musical Tradition in Islamic Civilization: Temcid and the Appointment of Temcidhans in the Ottoman Empire (1665–1893)

This study examines temcid, a devotional vocal tradition performed from mosque minarets, particularly during the pre-dawn sahur period in Ramadan and on blessed nights, and the temcidhans responsible for its performance within the broader context of Ottoman Islamic religious life. Drawing on Ottoman archival documents dated between 1665 and 1893, including appointment records, certificates, salary records, and petitions, the study examines the administrative and financial arrangements supporting temcid practice in the documented cases. The archival evidence shows that temcidhans were officially appointed to mosques in different regions of the Ottoman Empire, were allocated remuneration from designated revenue sources, and were replaced or reappointed in cases such as death, resignation, migration, or administrative renewal. The documents also indicate that temcidhan duties could overlap with other mosque offices, particularly that of the muezzin. These findings show that, in the documented cases, temcid performance was supported by formal appointments and financial arrangements within Ottoman religious institutions. By reconstructing the history of temcid and temcidhan appointments through archival evidence, the study contributes to a broader understanding of the musical, institutional, and lived dimensions of Islamic civilization.