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The Linobambaki or Linovamvaki were a Crypto-Christian community in Cyprus, predominantly of Catholic Church and Greek Orthodox descent who were persecuted for their religion during Ottoman Cyprus. They assimilated into the Turkish Cypriot community during British rule.
The Linobambaki did not outwardly practice or demonstrate their religious beliefs, due to their faux conversion to curry favour with the Ottomans and the Orthodox communities. Thus in their daily life, they chose to have either one Christian and one Muslim name, or a common name found in both faiths like Ibrahim (Abraham), Yusuf (Joseph) or Musa (Moses). At annual conscription they were often drafted into the Ottoman army, and they avoided paying taxes for non-Muslims. The Linobambaki did not entirely convert to a traditional Muslim life, and only demonstrated religious practices and beliefs that would gain them advantages only afforded to Muslims. For example, they frequently consumed alcohol and pork, and didn't attend religious services; traditions similar to continuing Turkish Cypriot culture today. Many of the Linobambaki villages have Christian saint names that begin with άγιος (ayios), or "saint" to attribute their Latin Catholic origins. Linobambaki's cultural roots and history can be found throughout Turkish Cypriot life and literature. For example, two of the most prominent main characters from Cypriot folklore are "Gavur Imam" and "Hasan Bulli". Linobambaki became a part of the majority of all uprisings and revolts against Ottoman rule, and other local government bodies on the island.
Linobambaki are mentioned by foreign travellers who visited Cyprus before the 20th century.Άντρος Παυλίδης, "Η Κύπρος ανά τους αιώνες μέσα από τα κείμενα ξένων επισκεπτών της" (Antros Palvlides, "Cyprus through the centuries in the texts of her foreign visitors), ed. Φιλόκυπρος (Philokypros), Cyprus 1994, vol. 2, pp. 1098 (William Turner 1815), 1141 (Luis Salvator 1873), 1163 (Hepworth W. Dixon 1878). In Greek language. The English historian and traveller William Hepworth Dixon who visited Cyprus in 1878 describes the Linobambaki as a "troublesome but comic element", changing religion from day to day. Fathers pretend that they circumcise their children, and give them names that sound both Muslim and Christian, such as Yacoub, Jousouf and Mousa. He notes that whole villages of "white" Cypriots use these tricks. William Hepworth Dixon, "British Cyprus", Chapman and Hall 1879, pp 29, 30
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