The hidden history of Afro-Cypriots

Local historyTop News The hidden history of Afro-Cypriots Serap Kanay Relevant News The hidden history of Afro-Cypriots 18 June 2026 A shared table in Lympia: ABR’s Trapezoma turns to decentralisation 18 June 2026 Things to do on Thursday, June 18 18 June 2026 Daniel Zambartas 18 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Who are the Afro-Cypriots? The hidden history of a community many Cypriots know little about When people think about Cyprus’s communities, the conversation is usually about Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. But the island’s history is far more diverse than many realise, and among the lesser-known communities are Afro-Cypriots. These are people of African descent whose roots on the island stretch back generations. Crucially, this heritage is not confined to one side of the island’s political divide. Afro-Cypriots are a part of both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, speaking both languages and practicing different faiths. Despite their long presence in Cyprus, Afro-Cypriots remain largely absent from school textbooks and public discussions, so who are they, where did they come from, and why has their story remained largely invisible? En.Philenews has spoken to social commentator and artist Serap Kanay to find out why. A presence in Cyprus that goes back centuries According to research by Kanay and academic Umut Ozkaleli, historical records suggest that people of African descent have been present in Cyprus since at least the Ottoman period. Their arrival was linked to wider networks connecting the island with regions of Africa, including present-day Sudan and Ethiopia. Over time, Afro-Cypriots settled in different parts of the island and worked in a variety of occupations. Historical accounts connect Afro-Cypriot communities to agricultural labour, sugarcane plantations, mining, fishing and port-related work. Families and communities were established in areas including Episkopi, Famagusta, and villages around what is now Ercan airport. Before 1974, Famagusta’s busy port also attracted workers and families from across Cyprus. Misconceptions “There is a lack of knowledge,” Kanay says. “When I was growing up, for example, most people came from Episkopi or Palaikythro. We used to be asked if we came from here because people assumed those were the only places where there might be people of African heritage. “As time went on, because we got mixed, divided, and displaced, it spread to even more countries. Because those places don’t exist anymore as the traditional villages where people used to be,because we’ve been uprooted, it has gotten even more confusing. Then, with the arrival of the new African students and African communities, it just got mixed up. We get mistaken for recent African arrivals now who are not Cypriot at all, despite the fact that I am much older than the students, and loads of people have lived here for a very long time.” “Another misconception is that people might think all of us came from slavery,” she adds. “Slavery was part of it, but not everybody necessarily came from slavery. Some came for different reasons; some worked as healers, and others were beauticians.” Why have Afro-Cypriots remained largely invisible? One reason is that Cyprus’s modern history has been dominated by the political conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. As a result, discussions about identity have often focused on ethnicity and nationalism, leaving little room for conversations about race or smaller minority communities. The researchers argue that this has contributed to the near absence of Afro-Cypriots from educational materials and public narratives. “It’s called the Cyprus problem,” Kanay says. “It has been the bane of our lives, it taking over everything else. What we always talk about is the Cyprus problem. Because that ethnic division is what is in the textbooks, unfortunately, other things get sidelined. “For instance, the Maronites are not in the textbooks. Many communities are missing from the textbooks, along with their history. If you aren’t talking about them, you aren’t acknowledging that they might have a different kind of experience here.” What is colourism and how has it affected Afro-Cypriots? One of the recurring themes in research on Afro-Cypriot experiences is colourism, which is discrimination based on skin tone within a society or community. The studies suggest that lighter skin and more European features were often viewed more positively, while darker skin and Afro-textured hair could attract negative comments or social exclusion. In some cases, families encouraged marriage with lighter-skinned partners in the hope that future generations would have lighter complexions. Hair has also been a significant issue according to Kanay. Afro-textured hair was and in some cases still is frequently portrayed as untidy or unprofessional, leading many women to straighten or conceal their natural hair in order to fit dominant beauty standards. The language of prejudice The research also highlights the use of racialised labels such as “gara”, “zenci”, “arap” and “halayık”. While some people may have used these terms casually or without malicious intent, the scholars argue that they carry historical associations with racial hierarchy and discrimination. For many Afro-Cypriots, such language formed part of everyday experiences of exclusion and othering. These experiences often took the form of subtle comments and assumptions rather than overt racism, but their cumulative impact could be significant. How do Afro-Cypriots see themselves? Identity among Afro-Cypriots is often complex and layered. Many identify first and foremost as Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot or Turkish-speaking Cypriot. At the same time, their experiences as Black people have shaped how they fit into society and understand their place within it. Researchers describe this as a form of “double consciousness”; balancing a strong sense of belonging to Cyprus while also being aware of racial differences and the ways those differences are perceived by others. A growing conversation about recognition In recent years, there has been growing interest in Afro-Cypriot history and identity. Kanay and other academics have spoken publicly about embracing their natural hair, reconnecting with African heritage and challenging long-standing stereotypes. Kanay says that recognising Afro-Cypriot experiences is not simply about documenting one community’s history, but also about developing a fuller understanding of Cyprus itself. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News A shared table in Lympia: ABR’s Trapezoma turns to decentralisation Things to do on Thursday, June 18 Clear weather and high of 36 degrees expected Thursday Investigative powers for the Independent Authority We spit on whoever we like and owe no one an explanation Rapid investigation into possible criminal liability The first step on a violent path Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.