Migration from Lebanon to West Africa: Ottoman, Mandate, and Republican Periods (1860-1990)

Year 2023, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 199 - 234, 30.12.2023

Hamdi Genc , Musa Demirdağ

https://doi.org/10.26513/tocd.1347533

Abstract

Migration has been a constant phenomenon in Lebanon since the second half of the 19th century. Initially, North and South American countries were the primary destinations, but later, other countries became attractive for migration. According to migration literature, it is widely accepted that people migrate from countries with push factors to those with attractive factors. However, despite the lack of pull factors, Lebanese migrants have also moved to West African countries/colonies. This article aims to explain why West African colonies/countries were preferred by the Lebanese for migration, despite their disadvantageous position in terms of attractive factors compared to other countries/regions. This study aims to answer the question by evaluating Ottoman archival sources and the literature on Lebanese migration. In this context, the dominant assumption in the migration literature that destination countries should have attractive factors is questioned. The available data from literature and archival documents do not support that hypothesis. By doing so, a contribution is made to the migration literature, and it becomes easier to understand the new wave of migration experienced today.

Keywords

Migration, Lebanon, West Africa, Ottoman, Lebanese

Lübnan'dan Batı Afrika'ya Göç: Osmanlı, Manda ve Cumhuriyet Dönemi (1860-1990)

Abstract

Bu çalışma, 1860-1990 yılları arasında Lübnan’dan Batı Afrika ülkelerine gerçekleşen göçü ele almaktadır. Çalışmada ilk olarak tarihsel süreç gözetilerek göçlerin hangi nedenlerden kaynaklandığını, hangi bölgeden, hangi mezhepten veya hangi toplumsal yapıdan Batı Afrika’nın hangi bölgelerine aktığı üzerinde durulmaktadır. İkinci olarak, özellikle ilk göçlerin asıl varış yeri Batı Afrika olmamasına rağmen neden oraya yöneldiği ve akabinde bu göçlerin neden sürekli hale geldiği soruları üzerinde yoğunlaşmıştır. Bu bağlamda modern Lübnan devletinin siyasi tarihi gözetilerek göçmenlerin çıkış noktaları, dini ve mezhebi özellikleri, varış bölgeleri, artışları ve azalışları tarihsel bir süreç içinde ele alınmıştır.

Keywords

Göç, Lübnan, Batı Afrika, Osmanlı, Lübnanlı

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