Kouloughlis, also spelled Koulouglis,[1] Cologhlis and Qulaughlis (from Turkish Kuloğlu "Children of The Empire Servants" from Kul "soldier"[2][3] or "servant" + Oğlu "son of", but the translation of the word "kul" as slave is misleading since in the Ottoman context, it referred to one's special status as being in the special service of the sultan[4]) was a term used during the period of Ottoman influence in North Africa that usually designated the mixed offspring of Ottoman[a] officials[5] and janissaries, and local North African women.
[6][10][11][12] Some sources refer to Kouloughlis as children of any Ottoman man and a North African woman.
There also existed Kouloughlis born of North African men, and Turkish women, such as Ibn Hamza al-Maghribi, an Algerian mathematician.
[25] Words and expressions from the Turkish language, to varying degrees, are still used in most varieties of the Maghrebi derjas and spoken Arabic in North Africa and the Middle East.
[28] The majority of Turkish loanwords in Arabic are used for private life (such as food and tools), law and government, and the military.
Ottoman rule left a profound influence on the cuisine of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Balkans.
Even today, many dishes produced in different countries throughout these regions are derived from the same name, usually a variation of a Turkish word (such as baklava or dolma).
[29] The capital of the Ottoman Empire, Constantinople (Istanbul), was the central location where specialists in art, literature, and the scientists from all over the provinces would gather to present their work.