JUSUF-BEY’S WIFE FROM GLAMOČ

Role of the woman in European societies of the 17th century, which were greatly defined by the patriarchal paradigm, was typically reduced to the role of housewife and possibly the husband's “shadow advisor”. Public appearances and engagements were very rare and would often put the woman in a thankless position, even in the mortal danger.   

With this in mind, it is extremely interesting to describe an event from the rich Bosnian history which happened in the mid-17th century. It was about capturing Jusuf-bey Filipović by Venetians. Filipović was an albay (colonel) in a Klis sanjak. He was extremely competent and responsible. His capturing was a great success for Venetians. As a prisoner, he spent some time in Šibenik and later on in a dungeon in Verona.

During his captivity, Jusuf bey was allowed to correspond with members of his immediate family. Although there are a couple of originals written in Turkish, it is mostly translation of the letters into Italian that have been preserved, which indicates that they were subject to the censorship by Venetian authorities. Interestingly, one of the preserved letters was addressed to the captured Filipović's wife, a granddaughter of Ferhat-pasha Sokolović. In the letter, the bey writes very tenderly to his wife:

“To my dearest wife, whom I love more than my eyes. Endless greeting, as appropriate. If you ask about me, I'm in good health, thanks God. You’ve heard about me and about the position I am in. (...) Take comfort and stay well, let God look after you. Your dearest husband Jusuf.”

Despite great efforts taken by his rich and influential family, Jusuf-bey's captivity dragged on for seven long years. And when everything seemed lost, a ray of hope suddenly appeared. Somewhere near the Dardanelles, a highly positioned Venetian officer, a close relative to the Doge of Venice, was captured.  

The speed with which the news about capturing of the Venetian reached Glamoč and the Filipović family home is fascinating. It was clear that it was a rare opportunity; however, the problem was how to convince Ottoman leadership that Jusuf-bey and Venetian nobleman were equally important, and how to require organization of their exchange. They were fast to decide to go to Istanbul. A delegation was formed which included, and was possibly led, by Jusuf-bey's wife.   

Jusuf-bey’s wife or Safa-kada, as she was named in a folk poem, managed to persuade sultan Mehmed IV to extradite the captured Venetian officer and have it brought to Glamoč. It was followed by the exchange of the two captives. The exchange was successful and Jusuf-bey returned to his family.

This event testifies of the power, skill and influence of our woman at the time which is considered not to favor the woman. The respect and the emotion which emanates from Jusuf-bey Filipović's letter to his wife indicate a warm relationship, though partnership as well, between the spouses.  

Although some critics may say that the bey wife's courage is a rare exception, it is possible that it is also a window into a world which is fairly unknown.

References:

• Ibrahim Filipović, “Odjeci kandijskog i morejskog rata u Bosni posmatrani kroz aktivnost bosanske feudalne porodice Filipovića iz Glamočaˮ, Prilozi za orijentalnu filologiju 40/1990, Sarajevo, 1991, 345-381.

• Fazileta Hafizović, Kliški sandžak; Od osnivanja do početka Kandijskog rata (1537–1645. godine), Oriental Studies Institute in Sarajevo, Sarajevo, 2016.