Öykü Dilara Keskin/JINHA

ANKARA – After Zülfü Öztürk was slain by her husband in Ankara, Turkey, the women in her area formed the Zülfü Women’s Life Chorus to draw attention to femicides. Members called the group “the chorus of the existence of women’s freedom.”

In the Mamak district of Turkey’s capital city of Ankara, women are bringing their spirit to culture and music with a chorus. On November 18, 2012, Zülfü Öztürk was slain by her husband in Mamak. Women in the Halkevi neighborhood organization in Mamak have renamed the park in front of Zülfü’s house “Zülfü Women’s Life Park” to call attention to femicides. Now, the women have formed a chorus as part of their efforts to keep Zülfü’s struggle alive.

Women of every age take part in the chorus, which performs in several districts of Ankara. The songs, in Kurdish and Turkish, address topics of women’s struggle and rebellion.

“Zülfü was a friend of ours who lived in Mamak and was abused by her husband,” said Damla Kaya, among the chorus members. “Her husband Musa killed her because she wore white pants and had a pink phone. In order to continue Zülfü’s struggle, we followed the court case, and her husband and killer received life in prison.”

Damla called the park they named for Zülfü “a symbol of the freedom of the abused women of Mamak.” The group named their chorus after Zülfü for the same reason.

“We sing our songs for women’s freedom. We sing for women’s equality,” Damla explained. “This chorus is the chorus of the existence of women’s freedom.”

The chorus performs in the weekend, taking part in neighborhood events and women’s events.

“There’s no big orchestra behind us. This is a chorus that we have formed entirely with women’s labor and solidarity,” said Damla.

Sultan Ertürk has taken part in the chorus since the beginning. She noted that the chorus started out very small.

“Women really love being part of a chorus,” said Sultan. “Before I started the chorus, I’d never sing folk songs by myself. I’d join in on a song as the third or fourth person, but now I’m comfortable accompanying songs myself. My self-confidence increased; this is a victory for me.”

Sultan also noted that coming to the chorus raised women’s understanding of violence against women.

“The chorus makes women stronger,” said Sultan. She said that by taking part in such activities, women would realize their own individuality.

(mg/cm)