Before the Armenian Navy Band

by Nareg Seferian

Published: Friday June 12, 2009

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Sir:

It was simply fascinating to hear about the discovery of the Quedagh Merchant off the coast of the Dominican Republic. As an Armenian born and raised in India, I am particularly proud of the various curious aspects of our community there, especially as it was during the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Armenian maritime heritage is indeed rather curious, given how we come from a landlocked, mountainous place. The Cilician Armenian kingdom on the Mediterranean is significant in that regard as well, but our institute of merchant ships in early modern times is something few peoples can boast about.

Armenian merchants were exempt from the trade wars of the various colonial powers, mainly because we were never a political threat to anyone, and so we enjoyed great freedom in our commerce. Moreover, as I understand it, the ships sailed under an Armenian flag (which depicted, among other things, the Lamb of God). Not bad for a people without a state, far from home.

Very truly yours,
Nareg Seferian
New Dehli and Yerevan