TITLE:
Meskhetian (Ahiska) Turks in Turkey and Their Perception of Spatial Belonging
AUTHORS:
Zerrin Toprak Karaman, Damla Mursül
KEYWORDS:
Identity Belonging, Meskhetian Turks, Immigration Administration, Social Belonging, Spatial Belonging
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.6 No.12,
December
18,
2018
ABSTRACT: In its various aspects, the subject of “belonging” has been an important fundamental indicator in terms of understanding “social belonging relations” throughout the history of mankind. This study focuses on the Meskhetian Turks who have immigrated to Turkey since 1992. Using the selected sample below, it considers the Meskhetian Turks’ choice of a preferred motherland, Turkey or their own Meskhetian Territories with regard to social belonging. The research also questions the role of Turkish Governments during the period 1992-2017 who as decision makers in matters of “immigration administration” “encouraged” or “discouraged” the Meskhetian Turks to enter in Turkey. In addition, the level of public awareness drawn by the Meskhetian Turks’ recently increasing rates of arrival in Turkey along with the subject of their social adaption to local public life will be questioned through in depth interviews. Moreover, on a broader level, the emotions of the Meskhetian Turks towards spatial belonging will be scrutinized. And in the final analysis, the content of this paper examines the general question of “motherland” belonging, which is claimed to exist amongst the Meskhetian Turks both towards Turkey and the Meskhetian territories.