Hamshen in 1834 Book: Missionary Researches in Armenia…

[avetik]

A majority of the peasants around Trebizond, we were told, are of the Greek race, and speak the Greek language. Some have been already mentioned, who, though still secretly Christians, profess the moslem religion. In the district of Sürmene also, near Oof, about 6 hours east of Trebizond, are many Greek moslems. Of some 30 or 40 villages, perhaps three-fourths of the inhabitants were formerly of the Greek church. But being long ago reduced to despair by the oppression of their Turkish masters they embraced the Mohammedan faith. They still speak Greek. -Among the Armenians, also, of whom there are some in the pashalik out of the city, a considerable body profess Mohammedanism. The district they inhabit is three or four days east of Trebizond, in the interior between Rizeh and Batoom. It is called Hamshen, we were told, and doubtless it takes its name from the town of Hamshen formerly a place of some note in the ancient Armenian province of Daik.* Our informant, a papal Armenian of Trebizond, estimated its population at three or four thousand families, inhabiting 70 or 80 villages. The greater part embraced Mohammedanism some 200 years ago; but they still speak Armenian, and many of their women know no other language.—These are believed to be unique cases in Turkey, where members of a Christian nation have become moslems, without being speedily so amalgamated with Turks or Arabs, as lose sight of their descent, and forget their national language. Long as Mohammedans have ruled over Greeks and Armenians, national landmarks are yet distinctly to be traced, and a body of Greek or Armenian moslems is still an anomaly. How far might the parallel be run between their case and that of the Jews?

[Hay]

Thanks for posting this, Avetik.
If you have any other old sources citing the Armenian origins of the Hamshenis, it would be very appreciated if you shared them.
Thank you.

[avetik]

[ARMENIA]

[avetik]

Barev dzes, Armenia jan. Shat urax em vor miatseleq ays mer ogut gordzin. Vstaghem vor kani der hdakrkrutyn ka mer hayeri mech, Hamshene piti unena apaga, ev dra hamar menq sdeghtsel enq es mer kajkedje. Sirov, Avetik.