Terry O'Hagan, Istanbul Porters (DOCO 2026)

Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul's porters (Hamallik in Turkish) are a vital part in the sustainment of the city's intricate logistical network. They will navigate their loads throughout the dense and ancient city streets, often inaccessible to modern vehicles. The porters work in organised groups, led by managers who allocate the tasks. Through the use of brute strength, utilising only their trolleys and/or heavy thick shoulder straps, some porters can be expected to handle over 500 kilograms of goods in a single day.

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