|Captioned "Turkish procession," dated between 1898 and 1918. Click on the |
picture or the link to enlarge the picture
But that's not the case. This is a procession of Jews of Eretz Yisrael. We'd like your help figuring out where it was taken, why people were marching, and when.
|Enigmatic picture of children marching|
We were challenged with a similar "procession" of adults and children several months ago with this picture (right). The caption read “Group of children and adults in procession in street, some holding a banner with a Star of David.”
In our photo essay then we suggested that the children were returning from the ancient grave of Simon the Tzaddik in Jerusalem, walking south on Nablus Road toward the Old City. It was early afternoon, and the day was Lag B'Omer, April 30, 1918, suggested by the presence of British army tents on the horizon. [We actually visited and photographed the site where the children marched.]
Turning to the new picture, why do we reject the caption of a "Turkish procession?" Because of the many identifiable Jews throughout the crowd.
|Enlargement of Sephardi man, |
apprently wearing a prayer shawl,
and bearded Jews in the background.
|More Jewish men with beards and hats|
There is a sign post in the middle of the picture, but it cannot be read even after enlargement. Behind the sign post, on the other side of the road, is another sign. Two men are apparently writing on it and have drawn the attention of marchers around them.
|Signpost and men writing|
on a sign
Not only is the picture not of a "Turkish procession," it is likely that the picture is taken after the Turkish defeat in Palestine in1917-1918. In the middle of the picture appears to be a British soldier in uniform and flat-top army hat.
Can it be that this is another picture of Jews marching on Lag B'Omer, the same day in 1918 as the children's "enigmatic" picture above, a Spring day between Passover and Shavuot when Jews traditionally take hikes into the countryside and visit the graves of sages? Is it this semi-holiday when traditional Jews can ride and walk beyond the city limits? But where are the marchers going to or coming back from? Their shadows suggest that they're not walking at the same time of day and direction as the children's procession.
Readers are encouraged to add their opinions and attempt to decipher the words on the signpost.