The Relationship Between Women and Music in the Context of Westernization Movements During the Tanzimat Period

Abstract

This article explores the impact of the Westernization movements, which accelerated during the Tanzimat Era of the Ottoman Empire, on the relationship between women in the imperial court and music, within the framework of gender roles. The artistic, cultural and social transformations that took place in Ottoman society during this period provide an opportunity to assess women's positions in the field of music from both historical and sociological perspectives. 

The study demonstrates that women in the court environment gained social visibility through music; the music education provided within the palace supported this process, and under the influence of Western music, female musicians began to assume more active roles not only as performers but also as composers. In this context, the relationship between music and gender is analyzed through prominent female figures of the period such as Esma Sultan, Adile Sultan, Leyla Saz and İhsan Raif Hanım.

These women's artistic activities laid the groundwork for their cultural visibility. Furthermore, the formation of female music ensembles within the palace and the introduction of Western-style music education granted women new roles, emerging as one of the significant innovations of Ottoman modernization during the Tanzimat Era.

This study aims to contribute to the understanding of cultural transformation processes from a gender perspective by evaluating the effects of Ottoman modernization on women through their visibility in the musical sphere. Adopting a qualitative approach, the resecarch employs historical analysis and interpretative methodology. 

The intersections between gender roles and music are examined within the context of Westernization, revealing the multifaceted nature of women's cultural representations in Ottoman society. The widespread adoption of Western music education, especially within the court, facilitated women's access to music and opened up new avenues for self-expression. In this way, women gained a more visible position in Ottoman cultural life through artistic produciton, both on individual and societal levels.