(TURKISH JOURNAL) By Sine Aras Akten
My father is from Manisa.
It is a mythological story I learned when I started writing a story that began years ago with his childhood.
The name of the girl in the story I wrote was Aslı. Aslı was coming to Manisa to explore her father’s childhood.
I got to know Manisa with my father. The people of Izmir know it. Manisa is like the backyard of Izmir. My late father used to take us to his village and Manisa, where he spent the first quarter of his life, on holidays. On that occasion, we would participate in various activities centered around Spil Mountain, Ağlayan Kaya ( Niobe Weeping Rock) and various activities in Manisa. One of those activities was the Mesir Festival of Manisa.
Under the heat, we would wait with umbrellas turned upside down. Known for her generous personality, Hafsa Sultan would insist on distributing the healing mesir paste to the public every year during Nevruz week. The paste wrapped in small papers would be scattered to the public from Sultan Mosque. From that day to this day, every year during the same period, the public gathered around Sultan Mosque, festivities were held, and mesir paste was distributed. We also had our share. But more than that, I adore the story of my father’s encounter with the ‘Tarzan of Manisa.’
Tarzan of Manisa seemed like a true pioneer, living in harmony with nature. Ahmet bin Carlak, or as he called himself Ahmet Bedevi, was one of those who were ahead of their time in environmentalism; his rugged life in nature earned him the title of “Tarzan of Sipylos” with his thrown Ramazan Balls being loved by the people. He lived in a cabin on the slopes of Mount Yamanlar. Individuals like him influenced environmental awareness in the 1960s to the extent that my father was one of them; he became interested in gardening after living this story with him… Ahmet Bedevi, Tarzan of Manisa, was a very kind man. He used to take care of the municipality’s gardening work and occasionally give roses he planted himself to the girls. One day, he bumped into my father on the street and gave him the book he was reading as a gift. It still stays with us.
It said ‘Even a rose has a soul!’ on the cover…
That’s how I got to know him through that phrase.
But the real story, for me, began the year I went for research for this book I wrote. When I saw that the saplings he planted were cut down for a parking lot and he suffered his first heart attack during this time, while researching Bedevi, the mythology of the district stole my heart. Because from the character I wrote to Manisa Tarzan, or perhaps a story that could affect the people of the country…
The Legend of Tantalus…
Tantalus, or with his ancient Greek name Τάνταλος (Tántalos), is one of the figures of Greek mythology also known as Atys!
Punished for trying to deceive the gods, well, they are always keen to punish!
Thrown into a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches (so bizarre even its cause!), he was placed—able to reach the fruit, but each time it moved away from his hand and whenever he bent down to the water, it moved beyond his reach… He received a punishment of not being allowed. It is said that the place is Karagöl in Yamanlar Mountain.
Greeks use the term “Tantalean punishment” (Ancient Greek: Tantáleioi timōríai) for those who have good things but are not allowed to enjoy them.
His name and punishment are also the source of the English word “tantalize,” meaning to torment with the sight of something desired but out of reach; to tease by arousing expectations that are repeatedly disappointed…
When I learned the legend behind the Tantalus Torture, I understood why we as a country actually host legends.
Despite all his efforts for a better Manisa, the people of Manisa subjected Tarzan of Manisa to Tantalus Torture, and his beautiful heart could not bear it. He died of a heart attack. Those ugly parking lots and concrete urbanization were shaped again by the hands of the profit holders.
In this country, there are still stories and understandings that will make our hearts undergo Tantalus Torture! Bedevi is just one of them…
Until the palace is bombarded, only then do hearts stop beating. The people of Manisa should know this very well, otherwise, the punishment is Tantalus!
