Where We Come From

The history of Hamshen is under thorough study by historians. There has been several books and publications about this subject.

The origin of Hamshen people goes back to Ardaz province in North Vasburagan region (click for map). Vasburagan spanned between Van Lake (Turkey) and Urmya Lake (Iran) and it was considered the heartland of the Armenian Kingdom for many centuries.

The Amadouni Family and Prince Hamam

The Amadouni family is one of the oldest Armenian Princedoms in the Ardaz region. They were very proud and courageous people specialized in agriculture and architecture.

In the 8th century, Prince Hamam and his father Prince Shabuh Amadouni were forced to leave their lands in Ardaz(Vasburagan) under the pressure of the Arab Invasion. The 2 Princes along with their priests, people and soldiers moved to the Black Sea Region where they settled in the destroyed City of Tambur and its surrounding villages (currently Hemshin and ChamliHemshin). Prince Hamam rebuilt the city of Tambur and called it Hamamshen (which in Armenian means Hamam’s city) and over the years Hamamshen became Hamshen in Armenian and Hemshin in Turkish.

Here it should be noted that Shabuh Amaduni's great grandfather was Vahan Amaduni whose grave still exists until today in the town of Oshagan in Armenia.

Hamam’s people were known as Hamshentsis (Hemshinli in Turkish). For many centuries, their region witnessed a lot of tragedies and bloodshed but due to the strong will of the people and the geography of the territory, they preserved their Armenian Identity, traditions, culture, Christian religion and language for many centuries. 
Until the 14th century, Hamshen was a kingdom and was ruled by its princes. Almost each village had its Church and its priest.

The Ottoman Era (14th Century)

With the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, the problems of Hamshen increased. The Ottomans tried with all their powers to convert the local population into Muslim Turks. They either lured the people to waive the taxes for each convert or they used military power to force the conversion. The Hamshentsis were very proud and religious people so the Ottomans had to revert to forceful conversion.  

A lot of clashes happened in the Hamsheni villages between the 15th and 19th centuries. Many Hamsheni families left to Karadere where they stayed for another century then had to either migrate again or convert.
In the 18th century, a large group of the Hamshentsis left Hamshen and settled in valleys of Hopa, Borcka and Artvin. These villages still exist until today where the villagers have kept their language.

During the Armenian genocide in 1915, the Hamshentsis paid the price too. Many of them were arrested and deported while others were killed in their cities and villages.

Current Situation:

Currently, there are 3 main groups of Hemshinlis spread over a large geographic area.

Eastern Hamshentsis - better known as Hopa Hamshentsis - are the people living in Artvin Province (Turkey); mainly between the cities of Hopa and Borcka. They are dispersed all over Turkey (Ankara, Istanbul, etc...) and Europe (Germany, France). Hopa Hamshentsis are Sunni Muslims. They refer themselves as Homshetsi and their language as Homshetsma (which is basically Armenian).

Hopa Hamshentsis came from Hemsin region during the 18th century. They survived the massacres by converting to Islam but were able to keep their language.  
In the 19th century, a large group of Hopa Hamshentsis migrated to the southern part of Adjaria (currently in Georgia) and settled in 6 villages close to the Turkish border. However, in 1944, upon the orders of Stalin they were all deported to Central Asia where they continue to live.

Another group of Hopa Hemshinlis were transferred to several villages of Sakarya province (Achmabashi and nearby villages) during the 1850s where they still live and keep their language.

Western Hamshentsis - better known as Bash Hamshentsis - are the people living in Rize Province (Turkey); mainly in Hemshin, Chamlihemshin and the surrounding villages. They are also dispersed in the main cities of Turkey (Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, etc…) along with Europe and US. Bash Hamshentsis speak Hemshinji (Hemsince: a Turkish dialect with many Armenian letters) and are Sunni Muslims.

Northern Hamshentsis are the people currently living on the northern and eastern coasts of the Black Sea. Mainly in Abkhazya (Georgia) and Grasnodar (Russia). They migrated from Hemsin, Cemlihemsin, Rize, Trabzon, Samsun and Ordu during 18th and 19th centuries.
They speak Homshetsma (similar to Hopa Hamshentsis). Northern Hamshentsis are Christians and unlike most of their brothers in Turkey they know their Armenian origins and some of them have moved to Armenia in the 20th century.

Hamshen history is mixed with blood and tragedy but it’s the history of a courageous and proud people who continue to remain loyal to its roots and ancestors.

(We invite you to visit our “Books” section to download and read books about Hamshen written by historians and researchers)