Table of contents:
- Who are the araps and how did they appear at the royal court. False araps
- How much did the "Arabs of the Imperial Court" receive for faithful service?
- What positions were entrusted to the Arabs at the royal court
- The illustrious career of the Arab Maria, a native of the Cape Verde Islands
- How was the fate of the "Arabs of the Imperial Court" after the 1917 revolution
Video: How the Arabs ended up at the royal court, and what positions they were entrusted with
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
From the second half of the 17th century, Arab servants began to appear in the Russian imperial palace. They were sent as a gift to Russian monarchs by the Eastern rulers, and courtiers brought them from Europe. And by the beginning of the next century, dark-skinned servants had become from exoticism an integral attribute of the royal court. Who were they and how did they feel in the capital of the Russian Empire, by the will of fate migrated from hot regions to a distant, cold and largely incomprehensible country to them?
Who are the araps and how did they appear at the royal court. False araps
Black people, people from hot countries, most often from Africa, have long been called Araps in Russia. They were also known as non-… ry and Ethiopians. The stately, physically hardy foreigners came to the court of the Russian rulers. Having taken an oath of allegiance to Russia, having converted to the Christian faith (in the case of belonging to any other confession) and having submitted a corresponding petition to the Ministry of the Imperial Court, the Araps could enter the service at the court.
Over time, a special staff position was created for them - "Arabs of the Imperial Court". The privileged position of the palace moors made this position very attractive. It is not surprising that a huge number of those who want to get to this place have appeared among the savvy Russians. The applicants tried to change their appearance - "turn black". For this, various dyes were used, the most popular of which was ordinary soot. Some nobles also resorted to a similar trick. In an effort to emphasize their well-being, but not having enough funds to get a real black man as a servant, they made up their Slavic servants "like Ethiopians", as a result of which they often found themselves in comical situations.
How much did the "Arabs of the Imperial Court" receive for faithful service?
The dark-skinned servants gave the imperial palace a unique charm and flavor. Therefore, the araps served on special, preferential terms. Huge sums from the state treasury were allocated for their form, which amazed with luxury and splendor. This tradition was introduced by Peter I, dressing the court mobs in caftans, camisoles and red cloth pants with braid. And under Alexander III, the ceremonial uniforms of the Araps were the most expensive of all the courtiers and were estimated at several hundred rubles. In the wardrobe of each such servant there was casual, weekend, voyage, ceremonial and mourning clothes.
The "Arabs of the Imperial Court" were a privileged caste of employees, receiving a cash salary, and quite high. So, at the beginning of the last century, the salary of the "senior Arab" was 800 rubles a year, the "junior" - 600, which was much higher than the salary of an official of the Ministry of the Imperial Court. In addition, they were entitled to gifts for Christmas and Easter, a government apartment, and special meals.
What positions were entrusted to the Arabs at the royal court
Initially, the role of black people under the emperors and their family members was insignificant. Children amused empresses and ladies of the court, adults were shown as an exotic accessory to the interior. Then they were instructed to open and close the doors of the palace halls during solemn ceremonies and balls, to be present at the coronation of the highest persons, to serve at the table during large receptions in honor of foreign guests, to accompany high-ranking visitors to the monarch's office, to be on duty at the doors to his chambers.
The araps were also charged with very delicate functions. For example, according to the testimony of contemporaries, Alexander II, suffering from intestinal problems, was recommended by doctors to smoke a hookah while visiting the toilet. Serving the sovereign in such a secluded place was the duty of a trusted arap.
The illustrious career of the Arab Maria, a native of the Cape Verde Islands
In 1878, Georges Maria arrived in Russia from a distant Portuguese colony west of the African coast. The young man turned twenty when slavery was abolished in his homeland, the Cape Verde Islands (now the Republic of Cape Verde). In Russia, Georges received the place of "Arab of the Imperial Court" and began to be called Georgy Nikolaevich. He took Russian citizenship, served faithfully to the new fatherland, as evidenced by many awards. Took part in the celebrations of the accession to the throne of Alexander III and Nicholas II.
George professed Orthodoxy and chose a Russian girl - Ekaterina Semyonovna Lapshina as his life partner. After checking the political reliability of the bride by the palace police and the Hoffmarshal's unit, he received permission to marry. For diligent service and merits, Georgy Maria was awarded the title of hereditary honorary citizen. This happened in 1910, when the couple Maria already had nine children. After the death of Georgy Nikolayevich, his household was left with the state-owned apartment they occupied and were assigned a monetary allowance from the funds of His Majesty's Cabinet: 200 rubles annually for the widow and 200 for the allowance for children until they reach their twentieth birthday.
How was the fate of the "Arabs of the Imperial Court" after the 1917 revolution
October 1917 radically changed the seemingly strong position of the court mobs. The Russian Empire has sunk into oblivion, and with it - the position of "Arab of the Imperial Court". The dark-skinned courtiers were not persecuted by the Soviet regime, but, having lost their service filled with splendor, they became confused, drooped and gradually, as it were, dissolved in the whirlwind of a new life. The memory of these people still remains: one of the ceremonial halls of the Winter Palace is called Arapsky.
Little information about the further destinies of exotic ministers has been preserved. It is known about the heirs of George Maria that since 1917 they all became citizens of Soviet Russia. Sons Victor, Sergei, Nikolai and Georgy worked at the Leningrad factories. In 1941, they took up arms to defend the Motherland. Nikolai fought in the Marine Corps and died at the Sinyavinsky Heights. George met a victorious spring and returned to his hometown. The granddaughter of a native of Cape Verde Islands Yekaterina Nikolaevna survived the blockade, was awarded the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" as a teenager, after the war she received a higher education and went to work at the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Institute, where her daughter later came. Today, representatives of the sixth generation of Maria live in Russia.
Today, for the sake of the prevailing rules in some films dark-skinned actors wedge in, and this is perplexing for connoisseurs of history.
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