Identity Definitions of Individuals in the Context of Social Identity Theory: Kocaeli Caucasus Cultural Association Sample
Abstract
This study intends to contribute to the growing literature on identity and ethnicity with a focus on Circassian identity that dates back to more than one hundred years in Turkey. Circassian identity is one of the major ethnic groups in Turkey that has existed since the 1800s. Circassians are frequently referred to as “the ethnic group that has perfectly adopted to current cultural norms in Turkey.” This study draws from social identity theory to examine the construction and transformation of Circassian identity and it presents the field study and findings derived from the interviews with the members of Kocaeli Caucasian Culture Association. Individuals’ identity and belonging definitions are also examined through the social identity theory in this part. The study presents the factors behind Circassian’s success in preservation of different cultural practices in years although they lack the knowledge of Circassian language as a strong binding cultural component. Findings are discussed through the social identity theory
Keywords
Identity,ethnicidentity,belonging,social identity theory,Circassians
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