Croats and Gypsies: Ottoman executioner ethnicities

[Böri]

At the era of Ottoman Turkey, executioners were institutionalized during the 15th century.
They were chosen among deaf and mute people.
People doing this dirty job were taken almost only from two ethnicities: Croats and Gypsies.

Subalterns and Social Protest: History from Below in the Middle East
by Stephanie Cronin



Why these two ethnicities? There might be different reasons but that is history-wise noteworthy detail anyway imo

[Böri]

The Turkish word for executioner is Cellat (Djellat). That word entered the Croatian language and obviously that's a surname in Croatia.

Cultures of Crisis in Southeast Europe, Volume 2
by Klaus Roth, Asker Kartarı
page 250



Obviously after their years-long services in Istanbul, Thessaloniki etc the Croat executioners were back home with their savings and set up families and used their job title as surname.

[Böri]

Magnificent century- Gypsy and Croat hangsmen execute Greek Devshirme Ibrahim pasha

[Marmara]

Why Croats? Is there a reason? I understand gypsies

[Cristiano viejo]

Why Croats? Is there a reason? I understand gypsies

[Marmara]

Did i say something funny?

[Cristiano viejo]

Did i say something funny?

Of course
Still funnier because you did say seriously

[Marmara]

Of course
Still funnier because you did say seriously

Gypsies used to and still do the lowest and most despised jobs, but Croats doesn't make sense.

[Carpatz]

The executioner of Romanian rebel leaders in Habsburg ruled Transylvania was also a gypsy. I think this might've been a common trend outside the Ottoman Empire as well.

[Böri]

Its not about despising or so. It’s just that they were chosen for that job. Some retained Dellatovic surname, it was a professional service.