From Greek word "Crypto" - hidden, secluded.Cryptoarmenians is a distinct ethnic minority of todays Republic of Turkey. They are the descendants of previously islamized christian Armenians.
Cryptoarmenians are of various backgrounds, ranging from forcedly islamized Hamshens of Black Sea coastal region, to kurdified and turkified Armenians of historic Taron, Vaspurakan, Bartsr Hayk and Lesser Armenia, who secretly preserve their chrisitan faith. So, whether Christian or Muslim, whether Kurdo- or Turkophone (or Armenian speaking), these people are unified by a single fact of repressed Armenian identity. According to various data, these people may number up to 2 million in contemporary Turkey. Due to the Turkey's agressive policy towards ethnic minorities, the "field-study" of hidden Armenians is almost impossible. However, because of the demise of the 'Armenian" tabu in Turkey, more and more people renounce their alleged nationality and opt to be Armenian, telling the world their own story. The site is dedicated to the study of the Cryptoarmenian phenomenon.
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