Istanbul’s African sex workers



Table of wolves

This Turkish expression refers to a dog-eat-dog world. In this regard, Aksaray and Kumkapı are the table of wolves in Istanbul. Kumkapı is a neighborhood that is home to many African immigrants who are trying to survive in a foreign country after they fled their homeland.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/in-photos-istanbuls-african-sex-workers-80432

Neon lights, police sirens

Boasting a constant cacophony from peddlers and police sirens, Aksaray is also home to neon-lit bars that double as venues for prostitution. The neighborhood is within walking distance to Kumkapı, meaning African sex workers are frequently seen in the bars.

A street to nowhere

These are the views that I got used to. Exactly a year ago, I missed my bus in Aksaray. While searching for an alternative way to return home, I found myself on a side street. In the middle of the chaos of Aksaray, the street had an authentic atmosphere. The sex workers, all of whom were Africans, were waiting for customers on the street, but seemed shy and fearful.

Never trust a white man


They were just 30 meters away from me. But it took me three months to cover that distance to photograph their lives. At first, I was only observing the street, looking for a door that may open to their closed, troubled worlds. Sometimes I just wandered in the street. Because – after everything they experienced here – they had learned something: Never trust a white man.

Increasing numbers

When I started this project, there were 15 African sex workers on the street. After more than a year, their number increased by four or five times. During all this time, I lived a double life – one as a friend, the other as a photojournalist. In the end, I finally managed to enter their world.

Like a slave

When I met Layla, she had 1,000 dollars remaining on her debt. It was not easy to arrange meetings with her. She was not allowed to leave her house during the day. Her “boss” insists that she accompany her wherever she goes or forces her to return back home with more money. She finally paid back her entire debt and moved out of the place to live together with another African woman who was brought to Istanbul by the same “boss.” Now she has a Turkish boyfriend.

Pimps, pickpockets

they notice that you are stranger in the street, you’ll find pimps and pickpockets around you. And if you are drunk, pickpockets try to make you talk longer so as to rob you more easily. “Watch out, the guy that you’re talking is a thief,” an African woman warns me. Pimps, on the other hand, try to start conversations with the same phrase: “You want a lady, brother?” They always add an extra 50 or 100 Turkish Liras for themselves in addition to the sex worker’s fee. If you don’t know her house, a “specialized” taxi driver takes you there for a fixed price, regardless of the distance.

Economics of prostitution

The “supply” provided by African sex workers has cut the price of white sex workers in Istanbul. Africans charge 100 to 150 Turkish Liras from their customers, who include people from all economic classes. I learned from “the guy talk” in the street that “demand” for African sex workers was higher as a result of sexual fantasies involving well-rounded hips.

Coming back home together

The boyfriend of 26-year-old Jessica is a worker at a factory. Every night, they return home from work together. Like other African sex workers, she pays a rent higher than the normal value despite the terrible condition of the house. This is why almost all sex workers stay in groups of three to four people in houses.

Same tongue, different prayers


One sex worker has read fashion magazines, finished the day, picked her night shoes and is ready to go out. The lingua franca of the street is Swahili. Their biggest fear is the possibility that the mafia might meddle with their business. Some sex workers recite Muslim prayers and others Christian ones to stay safe. They also use old, cheap phones as a precaution against being robbed.

What if they are nabbed?

When police launch a crackdown in the street, detainees are sent to a state “guesthouse” for several weeks, sometimes months. The procedure to deport them is prolonged if their country has no diplomatic mission in Turkey. Sex workers do not even hire a lawyer, as they openly voice their distrust of “white men.

Enduring the worst

Their response is impulsive, not racist. They endure the worst in the streets, even worse than white sex workers. I managed to photograph a guy who slapped an African sex worker merely for asking for a high price. Another time, I saw a man trying to tear off the underwear of an African sex worker as she was walking by in jeans. Another one jumped in the middle of them, swinging a knife. Another guy released violent dogs to attack the women.

Hmmmm

Similar tragedies rarely told


During the project, my camera was always with me. But sometimes I witnessed such moments that I was forced to observe instead of capturing an incredible photo.

And we cannot publish a particularly extraordinary series of photographs because its subject did not issue permission, unlike others. But perhaps, seeing even one house in Aksaray might be enough to understand the burden of African sex workers in Istanbul.

After all, this is where the dreams of women from Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria have turned into a nightmare. All the other places like this house look and feel similar to many personal tragedies that are frequently experienced, but rarely told.

Nawa o

Thanks so much Sloye5 for sharing this with us.

Please, listen to this warning if you don't want to face what these African ladies are facing.

Not only in Turkey. At least i know of some countries.

I always tell people to lower their expectations and cure the get rich syndrome before leaving Nigeria

Don't believe once you enter obodo oyibo, you will start plucking money.

You work for every dime not in Nigeria where people can give you money for free oh.

A word is enough for the wise

Lalasticlala, justwise and DisGuy

This is a front-page material

Please move it to the permanent site

Lalasticlala day don break for Istanbul oh

I like the multiple thematic focus of the narrative.

But Buhari APC economic policies sef..

Living a lie

As such, they find themselves in a position in which they can barely survive, let alone send money to their families. At some point, some start collecting money to send back home. Many of them find that prostitution is the last resort. They eventually become sex workers, even while telling their families at home that they work in factories or stores.

Most African sex workers in Istanbul actually come to the city to work in ordinary jobs, seeking to earn money to send to their families in Africa. Their ultimate goal, though, is to go to Europe or America. They enter Turkey with regular visas, but must stay clear of the police after their visas expire.

And these ones will come back and be forming one kind Porsche like that

Those who have ears let them hear, those who have eyes let them see

I know some people are stubborn.

If you know say na olosho (sex worker) you wan do for obodo oyibo

Go to New Zealand. The profession was accredited last year or last upper year.

Don't go to Middle East. Sex slavery is real oh

Even some countries in Europe. I read about a woman who deceived desperate Nigerian ladies to come over to Italy and work. Unfortunately, these ladies are being forced into sex slavery

So sad.

Nigeria system has made many people desperate but don't let that desperation lead you to slavery or other evil things.

The outcome of BRITNEY HAS MADE IT IN OBODO OYIBO

Don't be ignorant my people. Don't let them deceive you with Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche

Some Nigerians are living fake life abroad. Don't be a victim of bad experiences these girls are facing in Turkey.

Make it in Nigeria is different from make it in obodo oyibo. Get this fact straight.

Make it in Nigeria is having a good job (400k monthly), build house, have fleet of cars in your garage, and a whole lot of money in your bank account. In obodo oyibo, it's not easy to buy a house but you won't be homeless. You will have something even billionaires in Nigeria cannot buy with their money and everything will be going smoothly as long as you are not doing anything illegal.

So, if you are looking for money, please stay in Nigeria but if you want to be in a sane society and live a peaceful life, then you can apply for the right visa to your dream country

This thread deserve to be on the front-page.. justwise please do the needful. Thank you

Hadampson:
The outcome of NGOZI HAS MADE IT IN OBODO OYIBO

Don't be ignorant my people. Don't let them deceive you with Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche

Some Nigerians are living fake life abroad. Don't be a victim of bad experiences these girls are facing in Turkey.

Make it in Nigeria is different from make it in obodo oyibo. Get this fact straight.

Make it in Nigeria is having a good job (200k monthly), build house, have fleet of cars in your garage, and have a whole lot of money in your bank account. In obodo oyibo, it's not easy to buy a house but you won't be homeless. You will have something even billionaires in Nigeria cannot buy with their money and everything will be going smoothly as long as you are not doing anything illegal.

So, if you are looking for money, please stay in Nigeria but if you want to be in a sane society and live a peaceful life, then you can apply for the right visa to your dream country

This thread deserve to be on the front-page.. justwise please do the needful. Thank you

How many countries have you been to?

Kuku travel naa make we rest.

Ich bin so mude

The lingual franca is Swahili
Na Kenya ugandas dominate this one
The world is not a pretty place, no rainbows no hugs and kisses
This is d reality
U live u die,the end
That's y I'm an atheist

partnerbizz5:


How many countries have you been to?

Kuku travel naa make we rest.

Ich bin so mude

müde von was

Unlimitk2:
The lingual franca is Swahili
Na Kenya ugandas dominate this one
The world is not a pretty place, no rainbows no hugs and kisses
This is d reality
U live u die,the end
That's y I'm an atheist

Kenyans and Ugandans are the only nationalities that speak Swahili. Tanzanians speak Swahili as well.

Hadampson:



müde von was

Rushes to google oo

I couldn't even see the full translation. I had to look up the words separately then understood from context that you meant "Tired of what"

I no do again oo.

Hadampson:


Kenyans and Ugandans are the only nationalities that speak Swahili. Tanzanians speak Swahili as well.

I know ooo
But am I not correct?
Mr correcter

partnerbizz5:


Rushes to google oo

I couldn't even see the full translation. I had to look up the words separately then understood from context that you meant "Tired of what"

I no do again oo.

I thought you speak German

Since you know the meaning now, kindly tell me what you are tired of

life has not been fair to many

Unlimitk2:

I know ooo
But am I not correct?
Mr correcter

Sir, i didn't correct you. I only add to it

I quite agree with you that Kenyans, Ugandans and Tanzanians dominate that area but you will see some Nigerians as well.

Hadampson:
The outcome of NGOZI HAS MADE IT IN OBODO OYIBO

Don't be ignorant my people. Don't let them deceive you with Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche

Some Nigerians are living fake life abroad. Don't be a victim of bad experiences these girls are facing in Turkey.

Make it in Nigeria is different from make it in obodo oyibo. Get this fact straight.

Make it in Nigeria is having a good job (200k monthly), build house, have fleet of cars in your garage, and have a whole lot of money in your bank account. In obodo oyibo, it's not easy to buy a house but you won't be homeless. You will have something even billionaires in Nigeria cannot buy with their money and everything will be going smoothly as long as you are not doing anything illegal.

So, if you are looking for money, please stay in Nigeria but if you want to be in a sane society and live a peaceful life, then you can apply for the right visa to your dream country

This thread deserve to be on the front-page.. justwise please do the needful. Thank you

200k a good job in 2019 Nigeria? Perhaps, but only if the holder intends to remain single and has no other responsibilities.