Africans in Turkey

[1] The migration pattern of the latter group is being described as a middle class movement of white collar workers and urban traders who want to improve their economical conditions.

[4] According to state-owned Anadolu Agency, government data suggests that there are 1.5 million Africans living all across Turkey as of 2017, with 25% of them in Istanbul.

Mecidiyeköy, where many Africans live hosts night clubs that play Afrobeat artists such as Wizkid, Zlatan and Burna B.

[7] An Ugandan pastor living in Istanbul since 2013 has stated that underground house churches function both as a place of worship and a rehabilitation center for the African Christian community.

Muslim African migrants such as those from Senegal usually gather on Thursday nights to read prayers, listen to each other’s problems and try to support one another.

The celebration, in which originally a decorated calf was paraded around, collecting donations and well wishes for spring was originated from the late 19th century culture of the African slave community in the Ottoman Empire, but later banned in early 20th century due to the Atatürk's secularist reforms against non-state-controlled religious institutions and superstitious practices such as Calf Festival with its trace remnants of African tribal practices.

Contemporary Calf Festival incorporates elements from all around the continent such as the use of traditional African masks and the dance performances of Burundian and Malian students and is not being confined to the culture of Afro-Turks or Zanj people.

[8] Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboué, both of whom originate from the Ivory Coast and played association football for the Galatasaray, were subjected to racial insults from fans during a match against Fenerbahçe in 2013.