Etnik Sınırlarda Gezinmek: Haymanalı Kürtlerin Kimliklenme ve Kültürlerarası İletişim Pratikleri

Abstract

This study focuses on grasping the relationship between concepts of culture, identity and ethnicity alongside dynamics of intercultural communication. In this direction, it has been analyzed how ethnic boundaries are constituted and how intercultural processes affect this constitution. The main question which creates the base of this study is that in which ways ethnic groups construct and maintain their identities. Based on this question, the processes which play role in creation of cultural boundaries and the ways in which identity is protected through these boundaries have tried to be transferred.

In the scope of the study; ethnographic fieldwork has conducted in Haymana, a district where different ethnic groups live together, and concrete data has been collected regarding topic of interest. During fieldwork, in depth interviews have been carried out with twenty four participants. In addition, participatory observation has also been used. Fieldwork includes participants both living in city center (Ankara) and Haymana district. Thus, results of this study creates chance for comparing self identification processes and intercultural communication dynamics practiced in two different fields.

Accoring to results of the study, cultural differences which group members use to differentiate themselves from other ethnic groups; based on categories such as ritual, gender and occupation; make drawing intercultural borders possible while consolidating collective identity (in other word ethnicity), by using practices of inclusion and exclusion. In this way, group members who live together with Turks and other ethnic groups succeed in reconstructing and maintaining Kurdish identity. Intercultural interaction is fundamental element of grasping cultural identity and creation of the boundaries of this identity. It’s known that members of cultural community realize who they are only in contact with ‘other’. Cultural boundaries have no constant ‘essence’. Just as concepts of culture and identity, they take shape within a continuous mobility and relations. Thus, infringement or refreshment of the boundary determines how cultural identity is constructed and maintained.