Seymen

Traditional seymen costumes

Seymen were the irregular militia organization of Central Anatolian Turks, not much different from Zeibeks of the Eagean Region. The word could also refer to a policeman or a guard.

Originally seymen was a rank in Seljuk military. Seymens' barracks founded by the Seljuk Sultan in 1071 during the Malazgirt war. After their victory, they became the protectors of the Turkish tribes in the Anatolia. They were police force of Konya but after the Mongol Invasion, Seymens disappeared. However, Ottoman Empire rebuilt their barracks in the 13th century.

In classic Ottoman society, seymen tradition continued as a semi-militaristic youth organizations for young Turkish men of Anatolia. Special seymen uniform and carrying arms was the significant symbol of the seymens. This tradition continued till 20th century.

In the Turkish Independence War, seymen units once again took arms and fought as guerrillas against the invading forces. Ankara, a stronghold of Seymens, was chosen as the capitol city because of its safe position with seymen protectors. After the founding of Turkish Republic, Ankara Seymen Club continued the tradition of seymen units. Seymen Club is still active today.

Name of the traditional Ankara dance is Seymen -It is Misket in some areas.

Other uses

Seymen is also a Turkish personal name, as well as a toponym.