The Fringe of the East: a journey through past and present provinces of Turkey, Harry Charles Lukach, Macmillan and CO., 1913.
Sir Harry Charles Luke (born Harry Charles Lukach) a distinguished British diplomat and historian, was born in London in 1884. He was educated at Eton, Trinity College and Oxford. Luke had a distinguished career in British administration, including roles in Cyprus, Palestine, Malta, and the Fiji Islands. He served as private secretary to the High Commissioner of Cyprus from 1911 to 1912 and later as Governor of Famagusta from 1918 to 1920.
A standout chapter in “The Fringe in the East” is Luke’s discussion of Cyprus. This chapter is important for understanding the island’s role and its people during that time. Luke starts by giving a clear overview of Cyprus’s history. He also pays close attention to describing the towns and the people living there, which helps provide a fuller picture of life on the island under British rule. “Few countries have had so chequered a career as Cyprus.” The island’s long and complex history has been shaped by various rulers, including the Venetians, Ottomans, and British. “In the earlier stages of history it was successively under the dominion of more races than it is convenient to enumerate.” Luke emphasizes how Cyprus’s location, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, made it a key area of interest for British strategic interests.
Luke’s writing about Cyprus goes beyond politics; he provides vivid descriptions of the various towns and the people who inhabit them. He explores the lives of different communities, including Greeks, Turks, Armenians and other communities, providing readers with a sense of their daily lives and traditions. “An Armenian community had long been settled in the island; its connection with Cyprus was bound up with the near relationship between the Royal Houses of Lusignan and Armenia […]” “The only Jews in Cyprus are the settlers of a small agricultural colony […].” “Another vanishing race, not of animals but of people, dwells on the other slope of the mountains, in the region of Tylliria. This is the sect to whose members the name of Linobambakoi or “Flax-Cottons” is given, because their religious position oscillates between Christianity and Islam.”
Luke’s writing is engaging and informative, but it’s important to remember that his perspective reflects the colonial attitudes of his time. His view of British administration is mostly positive, which can seem biased today. Readers should keep this in mind and consider the historical context when reading his account.
Despite this, “The Fringe in the East” offers valuable information. Luke’s background in British administration allows him to blend travel writing with political and cultural insights. His detailed descriptions and personal experiences provide a rich understanding of Cyprus during a significant period in its history. For instance, he describes the picturesque St. Hilarion Castle, also known as Dieu d’Amour, or Didymos “[…] a castle as lovely as the others, and connected, besides, with the oldest of Cyprian myths.” The book combines vivid travel stories, intriguing political insights, and colorful descriptions of local cultures, making it a fascinating read. It brings the history of Cyprus and the Near East to life and is an excellent choice for anyone curious about the region’s past and its vibrant history.
You can find this book, and many more, in the Research Centre of the CVAR.
The 'Book Of The Month' series is made possible with the support of OPAP (Cyprus).
