I've started a new NGO. It's called the Drummer Accountability Project. So far it has achieved measurable results: The drummers who asked me for money on Friday were the same ones I photographed earlier in the week.
Did I give them money? Ha Ha. Would you reward people who stood underneath your window at 3 am every morning for a month banging drums? At best, wouldn't you ask them for payment or alternatively, pelt them with eggs? As a grant-giving organization, DAP believes that its grant recipients need to strive for sustainability and cultivate local funding sources.
DAP also noticed that the local drummers are building capacity for future activities. As they paraded through the neighborhood, their intern -- who based on the tone of his voice was probably seven -- was calling out the prayers.
The drummer in question's face is in the lower right
Catch you next year, Davulcu.
just a little tip: it's either ramazan davulcusu or just davulcu (eg. Catch you next year, Davulcu). But in any case, they should be punished for their crimes.
Posted by: anse | 14 October 2007 at 11:32 AM
Ah, yes. Accusative.
Posted by: carpetblogger | 14 October 2007 at 12:09 PM
Something I always wished I had done when I was in Turkey, being awakened in the middle of the night by annoying, loud drummers: BARBECUE...all day long. (At least where I was, no A/C anywhere meant "windows open!") Because one good turn deserves another, right? ;-) (Pelting with eggs sounds more fun, though!)
Posted by: Beth | 14 October 2007 at 03:18 PM
Amen! Amen! I asked my neighbors if alarms did not work in Turkey. Once awakened, no more sleep for me. A week before bayram and without notice entered a case of grip still gripping me. Is this a case for the davulcu? I believe so because it was he who woke me up out of my not-so-somber sleep for three weeks running.
When he came to my door, I asked, "Do I pay someone who wakes me up each night for three weeks?" Not to mention that only a rare four lights were on in my neighborhood after davulcu went by. So here is the case for eating early!
I believe there should be an NGO to support these guys, so they don't interrupt me during the day or evening to repeatedly collect money. Amen!
Posted by: joybringer | 16 October 2007 at 03:00 PM