Based in the Queensland Sunshine Coast, the Janissary Barracks Re-enactment Group strives to bring all the charm and romance of medieval Turkey to life. Specialising in displays of Turkish archery, music, dance, and oil wrestling, the Janissary Barracks is both a living showcase, and a great day out!
The first Ottoman Janissary (yeñiçeri, meaning “new soldier”) troops were formed in the late 1300s by then Sultan (Kagan, meaning “sovereign”) Murad I. Originally Christian boys taken as slaves and converted to Islam, these young men were sworn into service as both the bodyguards of the Sultan and the standing army of the Ottoman Empire. With their rigid discipline and unit cohesion, the Janissaries were a force to be feared for nearly 500 years, before being disbanded in 1826.
Established in 1999 and incorporated in 2004, the Janissary Barracks (Yeñiçeri Ocaği’) Re-enactment Group aims to:
- Foster an environment in which members can research, adopt, and re-enact medieval Ottoman lifestyles.
- Provide a common meeting ground for those who are interested in the history of the Ottoman empire.
- Support educational activities concerning medieval lifestyles, with emphasis on the Ottoman world.
- Provide a means of liaison with other groups and individuals dealing with Turkish and Ottoman culture.
The Janissary Barracks welcomes anyone who would like to know about the medieval Ottoman Empire, or would like to take place in its activities. Members meet weekly and practice archery, wrestling, music, dancing, cooking and other parts of the medieval Turkish culture.
Click here to visit the Janissary Barracks website.
