MEMORY AND STRATEGIES OF IDENTITY FORMATION IN HATAY

• Published in: International journal of Turkish studies Vol. 21; no. 1/2; pp. 117 - 136
• Main Author: Akyol, Esra Demirci
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison International Journal of Turkish Studies 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Citizenship; Civil war; Economic conditions; Ethnicity; France; Identity formation; League of Nations; Narratives; Oral history; Religion; Studies; Syria; Turkey; France; Syria; Turkey
• ISSN: 0272-7919

This article analyzes alternative historical accounts transmitted orally within the ethnic or religious communities of the present city of Hatay as part of their group identity-formation strategies. Oral history interviews conducted in the city with individuals of Alawite, Sunni Arab, Sunni Turk and Armenian origin demonstrate that alternative histories are available despite the influence of the official historical narrative that the nation-state created as part of the national-identity formation process. These alternative historical narratives are shaped around such common themes as land ownership, migration and registration for the elections held in 1938 on the eve of the annexation of the Sanjak of Alexandretta to the Turkish Republic. The unique history of the Sanjak makes different communities feel that their loyalty to the nation-state is constantly questioned, and the kind of historical narratives that they share with the public are shaped accordingly. Certain points that those publicly shared narratives raise contradict the national historical narrative and guide us to the alternative histories, which are kept within the community and form an important part of the group identity.