According to early observers, strong emotional attachments were also said to exist among women within Ottoman society. These writers claimed that affectionate bonds often formed between women, especially in enclosed environments such as large households and palace apartments. It was believed that these feelings were sometimes intense and long-lasting.
Special mention was made of older women who were said to show great affection toward younger women. They reportedly gave them fine clothing, jewelry, and money, sometimes spending far beyond their means. In some cases, these gifts were said to continue until the giver faced financial hardship. Such actions were described as driven by emotional attachment rather than reason or self-interest.
Writers of the period believed that these relationships were widespread throughout the empire. They claimed they were especially common in Constantinople, within the imperial palace, and in the private apartments of the Sultan’s household. Whether exaggerated or not, these accounts were used to illustrate how strong emotions could develop in closed societies where daily life was spent largely among members of the same sex.
The Mutes and Dwarfs of the Ottoman Court
In addition to the pages, the Ottoman court employed a special group of attendants known as Bizeban, or Mutes. These men were born deaf and, as a result, were unable to speak. Because they could not hear spoken words, they communicated entirely through signs and gestures Istanbul Private Tours.
Their number was said to be around forty. At night, they were housed in chambers near the pages. During the day, they stood near the mosque belonging to the pages. There, they practiced and perfected their system of silent communication, which became a highly developed sign language understood only among themselves.
Duties and Importance of the Mutes
The Mutes served important roles in the palace. Because they could not speak, they were considered especially trustworthy for sensitive tasks. They were often used to carry confidential messages, enforce discipline, or attend private ceremonies. Their silence was seen as a form of security, as they could not repeat what they witnessed.
Some accounts also suggest that the Mutes were used during executions or punishments, precisely because they could perform these acts without speaking or spreading information. This made them both feared and respected within the court.
Dwarfs in the Palace
Alongside the Mutes were dwarfs, who were also kept within the palace. They often served ceremonial or personal roles and were part of the inner household. Like the Mutes, they lived close to the center of power and observed the private life of the court.
These descriptions of women’s society, Mutes, and dwarfs offer insight into the unique structure of the Ottoman court. They show how emotion, secrecy, and service shaped daily life within the palace, creating a world very different from life outside its walls.