Meskhetian (Ahiska) Turks in Turkey and Their Perception of Spatial Belonging

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.

Geography Courses in the Identity Construction and Spatial Belonging Development of Turkish-origin Students Living in Germany

“…It is not seen as a great problem not to have information/ subjects about the geography of Turkey in geography courses because it is less value-laden as comparing with history course and contributes practically while not having subjects related to Turkey history in history courses is regarded as a problem by Turkish-origin students and it is tried to be completed via informal sources (Pamuk, 2019). Although recent studies on the relationship between migration and spatial belonging have increased (Aşkın, 2017;Dietz, 2011;Freist, Kyora& Unseld, 2019;Hanhörster, 2014;Karaman& Mursül, 2018;Kochan, 2016;Mee& Wright, 2009;Mirlotfi& Jahantigh, 2018;Turut& Özgür, 2018), there is a lack of literature on this topic in relation to geography education.In conclusion, the contributions of geography courses taught within the scope of a learning domain of social studies, the identities of Turkish-origin students and their belonging to German society different facts in different senses emerge. Geography course functions to provide students to regard Germany as their country by making them feel that they are a part of that place, introducing the place lived on, the geography of that place and the place itself.…”