Authors

Discussion

This paper seeks to understand empirically the role of Georgian Turkish associations in the formation of identity with respect to the homeland (Turkey) and ancestral homeland (Georgia). The study provides an in-depth analysis of how Georgian Turkish identity is shaped through associational activities in light of recent developments taking place at the local, national and transnational levels. “Ethnic associations may serve local, national and transnational functions, often at the same time” . Their transnational function is important in understanding the construction of identity and belonging outside the receiving country’s borders. This study evaluates the importance of Georgian-Turkish ethnic associations’ activities relating to the country of origin in the process of identity formation and belonging. The paper argues that religion and kinship based associational activities with regard to Georgia are important in shaping associations’ members identities. What makes one of the studied cases noteworthy is that the association engages with transnational religious flows from the homeland to the ancestral homeland, rather than from the country of origin to the destination country. The study employs an inductive, ethnographic approach to data collection and analysis, relying heavily on participant observation and in-depth interviews.