Reinterpreting identity in the context of space and reconciliation: A qualitative study on Arabized Kurds in the city center of Mardin

Özlem Solur Sürücü; Safiye Ateş Burç

doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1891442

EN TR

Reinterpreting identity in the context of space and reconciliation: A qualitative study on Arabized Kurds in the city center of Mardin

Abstract

This study aims to understand, reveal and explore the hyphenated identities of the 'Arabized Kurds' living in Mardin city centre, considering the themes of space and reconciliation. The focus of this study is the question of how an identity, which is repositioned through the interrelation and actual transformation of two different ethnic and cultural identities, is formed through which encounters, interactions, and negotiation processes. This article presents data collected through qualitative research conducted using a case study design. Once again, it reveals that identity is not fixed or singular, but fluid and constantly reconstructed through space, language, and cultural interactions. The findings were interpreted through thematic and discourse analysis, using in-depth interviews and observation as the data collection tools. First, the Arabized Kurdish identity in Mardin demonstrates that ethnic boundaries are not rigid or insurmountable and can transform through historical processes and social contact. Secondly, this flexible, interconnected, hyphenated identity is much more effective than tolerance in establishing social reconciliation in Mardin because it manages social tensions by facilitating negotiation between ethnic groups.

Keywords

Identity, hyphenated identity, social reconciliation, Mardin, Arabized Kurd(s)

Mekan ve uzlaşı ekseninde kimliğin yeniden yorumlanması: Mardin kent merkezindeki Araplaşmış Kürtler üzerine nitel bir araştırma

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Mardin kent merkezinde yerleşik olan “Araplaşmış Kürtlerin” tireli kimliklerini mekan ve uzlaşı ekseninde anlamayı, ortaya koymayı ve keşfetmeyi amaçlamaktadır. İki farklı etnik ve kültürel kimliğin birbirine ilişmesi ve aslında dönüşmesiyle yeniden konumlandırılan bir kimliğin hangi karşılaşma, etkileşim ve müzakere süreçlerinden geçerek oluştuğu bu çalışmanın odağını oluşturmaktadır. Durum çalışması araştırma deseniyle yürütülen nitel bir araştırmayla verilerin toplandığı makalede kimliğin, sabit ve tekil bir yapı olmadığı, mekân, dil ve kültürel etkileşimler aracılığıyla sürekli yeniden inşa edilen akışkan bir süreç olduğu bir kez daha ortaya konmuştur. Derinlemesine görüşmelerin ve gözlemin veri toplama aracı olduğu makalede tematik ve söylem analiziyle bulgular yorumlanmıştır. Araştırmanın iki temel çıkarımı vardır. Bunların ilki Mardin’deki Araplaşmış Kürt kimliğinin, etnik sınırların katı ve aşılmaz olmadığını ve tarihsel süreçler ve sosyal temaslar yoluyla kimliklerin dönüşebildiğini göstermesidir. İkincisi ise bu esnek ve birbirine eklemlenen tireli kimliğin kentteki sosyal uzlaşıyı kurmada hoşgörüden çok daha etkili bir yerde durduğu, bunu da etnik gruplar arasındaki müzakereyi adeta doğalında üzerine alarak toplumsal gerginlikleri yönetebilir hale getirdiğidir.

Keywords

Kimlik, tireli kimlik, toplumsal uzlaşı, Mardin, Araplaşmış Kürt(ler)

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Peace Studies, Urban Sociology and Community Studies, Sociology of Culture

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Özlem Solur Sürücü
0009-0008-1797-780X
Türkiye

Safiye Ateş Burç ^*
0000-0001-6506-8952
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 7, 2026

Submission Date

February 17, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 23 Number: 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1891442

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA27FE26XC

APA

Solur Sürücü, Ö., & Ateş Burç, S. (2026). Reinterpreting identity in the context of space and reconciliation: A qualitative study on Arabized Kurds in the city center of Mardin. OPUS Journal of Society Research, 23(2026), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1891442

AMA

1.Solur Sürücü Ö, Ateş Burç S. Reinterpreting identity in the context of space and reconciliation: A qualitative study on Arabized Kurds in the city center of Mardin. OPUS JSR. 2026;23(2026):1-14. doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1891442

Chicago

Solur Sürücü, Özlem, and Safiye Ateş Burç. 2026. “Reinterpreting Identity in the Context of Space and Reconciliation: A Qualitative Study on Arabized Kurds in the City Center of Mardin”. OPUS Journal of Society Research 23 (2026): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1891442.

EndNote

Solur Sürücü Ö, Ateş Burç S (June 1, 2026) Reinterpreting identity in the context of space and reconciliation: A qualitative study on Arabized Kurds in the city center of Mardin. OPUS Journal of Society Research 23 2026 1–14.

IEEE

[1]Ö. Solur Sürücü and S. Ateş Burç, “Reinterpreting identity in the context of space and reconciliation: A qualitative study on Arabized Kurds in the city center of Mardin”, OPUS JSR, vol. 23, no. 2026, pp. 1–14, June 2026, doi: 10.26466/opusjsr.1891442.

ISNAD

Solur Sürücü, Özlem - Ateş Burç, Safiye. “Reinterpreting Identity in the Context of Space and Reconciliation: A Qualitative Study on Arabized Kurds in the City Center of Mardin”. OPUS Journal of Society Research 23/2026 (June 1, 2026): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1891442.

JAMA

1.Solur Sürücü Ö, Ateş Burç S. Reinterpreting identity in the context of space and reconciliation: A qualitative study on Arabized Kurds in the city center of Mardin. OPUS JSR. 2026;23:1–14.

MLA

Solur Sürücü, Özlem, and Safiye Ateş Burç. “Reinterpreting Identity in the Context of Space and Reconciliation: A Qualitative Study on Arabized Kurds in the City Center of Mardin”. OPUS Journal of Society Research, vol. 23, no. 2026, June 2026, pp. 1-14, doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1891442.

Vancouver

1.Özlem Solur Sürücü, Safiye Ateş Burç. Reinterpreting identity in the context of space and reconciliation: A qualitative study on Arabized Kurds in the city center of Mardin. OPUS JSR. 2026 Jun. 1;23(2026):1-14. doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1891442

Reinterpreting identity in the context of space and reconciliation: A qualitative study on Arabized Kurds in the city center of Mardin

Abstract

Keywords

Mekan ve uzlaşı ekseninde kimliğin yeniden yorumlanması: Mardin kent merkezindeki Araplaşmış Kürtler üzerine nitel bir araştırma

Abstract

Keywords

References

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Journal Section

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Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

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