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HOROZ ALI
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Cockerel
Ali (Ali Osman), was the Police keeper of Kyrenia Gate for a long time. He
stamped his mark on this gate. In 1821, the Gate was renovated by the
Ottomans and a domed room was built above the gate. The Keeper would
retire here to sleep late at night. He would at first light open the gate
and start work. He would scrutinise each person entering or leaving the
gate. He would refuse passage to anyone he did not take to.
Everyone leaving Nicosia was firmly reminded of the closing hours for the
gates. Pointing at the cemetery opposite the gates, he would say “If you
are late, you will be the guest of the departed.”
One of the tales told about this authoritarian keeper relates to the time
when the British were newly in Cyprus. In 1878 the British arrived at
Larnaka to take charge of the island.
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Horoz Ali, in 1946,
aged 121, just months before he passed away |
Some of
them traveled to Nicosia and presented themselves to Kyrenia gate to gain
entry.
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Well
aware of the out of the ordinary situation Cockerel Ali met them with an
air of authority. The unfamiliar and glittering uniforms did not
impress him. He was not going to let them through easily. He explained
that he had not been authorised to let them through and advised the
British to rest under the trees in the cemetery. This was a very close
encounter to a diplomatic crisis.
The leading members of the town soon came to the rescue. They explained the situation to the keeper in a reasoned way. The keeper was persuaded and opened the gate to the new rulers of Cyprus with deep regret and sadness. As they entered he presented them with the keys to the gate. Recognising that he was a dependable person he was kept in his post.
Born in 1825 Cockerel Ali was 121 years old at his death in 1946. He was one of the longest living persons in Cyprus. He was laid to rest in the cemetery under the trees where he would send people he refused entry.
The keepers of the other two gates to Nicosia (Famagusta and Paphos) have left no trace in the history of Nicosia. Cockerel Ali, was an unusual character to such an extent that he is remembered with awe to this day.
(Written by Ahmet Tolgay) |
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