This engraving by Samuel Pasfield Oliver for the Illustrated London News dates back to 1878. It depicts a scene in a Greek house in the outskirts of Trikomo. The house, in which Commissioner Captain Swaine and his interpreter Mr Cambettino were invited to lodge after a long trip, was owned by a village notable called Mr Michael. Being the chief agriculturalist and merchant in the area he could offer a comfortable abode.
The two British officials are seen paraded before a local deputation of two priests and three villagers who were there to present and discuss issues of taxation and money advances to the Turks who seem to have despoiled the Greek villagers prior to their departure from the island.
Commentary in the text accompanying the engraving suggests that the end of Ottoman rule on the island was marked by an emigration of Turks to the coast of Syria in fear of retaliation from the Greeks. Pasfield Oliver’s comments reveal a much more sympathetic attitude towards the Greek farmers than that extended to the priesthood.
He commends one of the villager’s fluency and intelligence while he damns the priests as ‘backward and diffident’. These are the first signs of British attitudes toward the ordinary folk of Cyprus dictated by their appreciation of the villagers’ potential for productivity and enterprise.
Contrary, they remain wary of an unsophisticated yet privileged local priesthood who could pose obstacles to their plans.
PNT-00024 > Samuel Pasfield Oliver, Reception of a deputation, Trikomo, engraving, 9 x 12 cm, 1878.
The 'Sneak Peek' series is supported by OPAP (Cyprus).
