Looking at the 'Taps' sound from the perspective of socio-cultural imperialism!

In an article I wrote about 14 years ago, I asked, "Where does the 'Taps' sound, or the piece of music played during the moment of silence before the National Anthem at official ceremonies in Turkey, come from?"

The article was also published in respected music journals on May 23, 2011 (See: www.musikidergisi.net). Countless people were interested in the article. However, the answer to the question I asked never came. It was as if a veil of secrecy had been drawn over it.

Later, I continued my writings on this subject every year. In one of my articles, I mentioned that the issue is fundamentally linked to socio-cultural imperialism.

I would like to renew my article this year as well.

LOOKING AT THE ''TAPS'' SOUND FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIO-CULTURAL IMPERIALISM!

As is known, at official ceremonies in Turkey, a moment of silence is usually held before the National Anthem for Atatürk, the martyrs, and our elders who have passed into eternity. During the moment of silence, the 'Taps' sound, which lasts about 30 seconds, is played, followed by the National Anthem. However, let alone our ordinary citizens, most of the relevant authorities do not know the origin of the 'Taps' sound, nor have they been curious about it.

The "Taps" sound is also an extension of socio-cultural imperialism.

Because imperialism does not enter a country solely as an economy-political force. Socio-cultural imperialism has many facets.

One of the most important is the issue of the social and cultural structures of central countries being applicable to third countries, in other words, the zeroing out of cultural differences between societies.

In this context, it is imposed that modernity must pass through similarity to central countries in every subject, from food, beverage, and entertainment culture to music, language, and behavior.

This is briefly called the "McDonaldization Culture."

The most typical cultural imperialism is experienced in languages. Even the structure of the language is being changed.

For example, in Turkish, instead of saying 'Çay içer misiniz?' (Would you like to drink tea?), people have started saying 'Çay alır mısınız?' (Will you take tea?).

Education in a foreign language was also envisioned as the only way to reach technology and knowledge. The subject of learning a foreign language and the subject of education in a foreign language were deliberately confused.

A very important point is being tried to be forgotten here; one of the most important elements that keep nations together is the national language. When this bond is weakened, national integrity suffers serious wounds.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE TAPS SOUND?

I do not know if you have wondered about the origin of the 'Taps' sound.

I wondered. My curiosity was increased by the words of a former President of the United States (USA), Bush, when he came to Turkey.

When Bush heard the 'Taps' sound during the moment of silence before the National Anthem, he was very pleased and said, 'Our culture has reached this far.'

I researched the subject a little. I learned that the mentioned 'Taps' sound is "Military Taps," one of the pieces of music in the 1953 US-made film "From Here To Eternity," which was translated into Turkish as "İnsanlar Yaşadıkça."

The composer of the music was Daniel Butterfield. (See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn-iz8z2AGw)

At first, it might be thought that the 'Taps' sound was taken from the film "From Here To Eternity."

However, as I delved deeper into the research, it turns out that the composer of the music, Daniel Butterfield (1831-1901), was a businessman who rose to the rank of general in the American Civil War. It can be said that this music was a lament composed against the destruction of war during the civil war.

WHEN, HOW, AND WHY DID THE TAPS SOUND ENTER TURKEY?

Now there are questions that need to be asked.

The first is this; when and how did the 'Taps' sound enter Turkey? I could not find a clear answer. Music historians and experts on the subject certainly know. However, it can be thought that it likely entered Turkey with the Korean War.

These years correspond to the years that some of our elders called "We will become a Little America!"

The second is this; the National Anthem is the anthem of the Republic of Turkey. In other words, it is an expression of the Turkish Nation's stance and resistance against imperialism, its honor, and its desire for independence.

With the situation as it is, on what grounds was this piece of music, composed during the American Civil War, added to the Moment of Silence?

Let us state immediately that the American Civil War was a result of the conflict of interest between the southern states of America, where an agricultural economy based on slave trade and exploitation was dominant, and the northern states, which had an industry that needed free, cheap labor.

For this reason, I think that "those who added the 'Taps' sound to the Moment of Silence before the National Anthem should explain what this music, which is important for America, means for Turkey."

There are two options that need to be taken regarding this issue.

The first is to immediately remove the 'Taps' sound from the Moment of Silence and hold the moment of silence in silence.

The second is to have a piece of music composed by Turkish composers for the moment of silence.

I hope there are musicologists who have studied and will study this subject.

However, I am of the opinion that the subject concerns not only musicologists but "ALL PATRIOTS."

Note:

The articles I wrote on the subject of the 'Taps' sound received positive reactions in many places. In some places, the 'Taps' sound is no longer used during the moment of silence before the National Anthem. I also have a request from those who read my article. Let them research my suggestion and then, if they wish, popularize it. I think that "we must oppose all kinds of imperialism."