Construction of Armenian identity in İstanbul: the case of Yeşilköy

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2011

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Baykal, Zeynep

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The aim of this thesis is to analyze Armenian ethnic identity construction, the dynamics influencing this process, and varying boundaries of this identity in Yeşilköy, which is one of the regions of Istanbul where Armenians prefer to live. The primordial as well as constructed aspects of Armenian identity in Turkey and the influence of objective and subjective definitions of Armenian collective identity constitutes the main themes of this thesis. From that perspective, homeland, history, myths, collective remembering, religion, language, rituals, the sense of being a member of a minority group, and perception of citizenship play a crucial role. Besides, relationalism, interaction with others, daily life practices, and relations with the nation-state appear as the other crucial elements of this identity construction process. Armenian identity in Turkey is multi-layered, situational and fluid. Together with the elements which provide the rigidity of identity such as religion, there are other loyalties such as ethnicity, traditions and language which give rise to plural and flexible identities. Armenian communities outside the national boundaries also serve for the self- positioning of the Armenians in Turkey.

Subject Keywords

Ethnology

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http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12613259/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/20637

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis

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Citation Formats

Z. Baykal, “Construction of Armenian identity in İstanbul: the case of Yeşilköy,” M.S. - Master of Science, Middle East Technical University, 2011.