ARGAKI

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Argaki/Akçay is a village located in the Morphou/Güzelyurt area, two kilometers northwest of Katokopia/Zümrütköy and five kilometers southeast of the town of Morphou/Güzelyurt. Argaki means “small stream” in Greek. Turkish Cypriots changed the name to Akçay in 1975, meaning “small white stream.”
 
 
Historical Population:

Argaki had always been a mixed village. As can be seen from the chart above, in the Ottoman census of 1831, Christians (Greek Cypriots) constituted the majority of the inhabitants (60%). In 1891 this percentage increased to 74%. Throughout the British period, while the Greek Cypriot population of the village increased significantly, the Turkish Cypriot population declined. By 1960, the Greek Cypriot share of the village’s population had risen to 94%.

Displacement:

In August 1974, the Argaki Greek Cypriots fled the village from the advancing Turkish army. According to Goodwin, a large portion of these displaced Greek Cypriots were resettled in Acheleia(282), Kato Polemidia(277) and Pano Polemidia(278). The number of Greek Cypriots displaced from Argaki/Akçay was approximately 1,550 (1,541 in 1973).

Current Inhabitants:

Currently the village is mainly inhabited by displaced Turkish Cypriots from Potamia/Dereli(089), Dali(024) and Agios Sozomenos/Arpalık(008), villages in the Nicosia district. The original Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of the village also still live there. In addition, some families from Turkey settled in the village in 1976-77. During the orange-picking seasons, the village also hosts many seasonal agricultural workers from southeast Turkey. They are usually lodged in tents or prefabricated accommodations, specifically erected for them, usually located in the orange orchards where they work.

  


 
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