Cyprus-Forum.com

[Maximus]

Dümbük is a recently published, controversial and sharply critical book by Turkish Cypriot author İlker Özkunt that challenges mainstream narratives about the history and identity of Turkish Cypriots. The book argues that Turkish Cypriots have been historically ignorant, uneducated, and cowardly, claiming that both Turkish-speaking and Greek-speaking communities were manipulated by nationalist groups such as TMT and EOKA.

For our non Turkish reading and speaking readers - Dümbük, is a Turkish word which is considered an insult and can be translated to “pimp” or “cuck”, depending on its context. The books front cover has that word written in blood above a picture of Rauf Denktash on fire, along with the subtitle “the story of a fraud”.

https://cyprus-mail.com/2025/07/28/anti ... h-cypriots

Here are the central themes it contains:

It describes itself as a true story of Turkish-speaking Cypriots, offering a sharply critical perspective on their history and identity. The book claims to present a narrative very different from the official or mainstream accounts of Cyprus’ past by Turks and Turkish Cypriots. Özkunt asserts that, rather than following accepted versions of history, he aims to show what is usually hidden or neglected. Özkunt argues that if Turkish Cypriots had not bowed to the pressure from TMT and Greek Cypriots had resisted EOKA, the island might have avoided both occupation and division.

A significant theme is the harsh critique of the Turkish Cypriot leadership, especially Rauf Denktash, whose legacy is questioned in the book. He is presented as a fraud.

The author highlights what he perceives as internal flaws in the Turkish Cypriot community, including ignorance, unconsciousness, and cowardice, suggesting these prevented resistance to nationalist pressures and could have averted occupation and division of the island. Mutual responsibility and lost opportunities are also central messages of the book, compliance with nationalist agendas on both sides has led to the ongoing conflict, implying that if these dynamics had been resisted, a different, more peaceful outcome might have been possible.

Overall, the book serves as a mirror for self-criticism within the Turkish Cypriot community, exposing uncomfortable truths and urging reconsideration of accepted histories and identities, which has understandably led to significant controversy and backlash in occupied northern Cyprus. Many politicians and citizens, including Denktash’s family and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, condemned the book as an attack on the Turkish Cypriot identity and history, labelling its claims as baseless and offensive. As of late July 2025, "Dümbük" has been subject to official recall and removal from bookshelves in the north, following public uproar and political condemnation.