Oppression, Solidarity, Resistance: The Forging of Kurdish Identity in Turkey

Abstract

This paper examines the intersection of oppression and Kurdish resistance to the state in Turkey and the impacts these have on the formation of ethnic identity amongst the Kurds of Diyarbakır. It examines how repressive state measures imposed upon the Kurds, ostensibly to crush the PKK, rallied Kurdish political sentiment such that resistance to state hegemony expanded to encompass a much broader ‘popular resistance’. Resistance by ‘everyday’ Kurds to what they perceive as hegemonic projects, whether instigated by Kemalists or the AKP, continues to forge internal cohesion and highlight their differences from the majority Turks. In this way, resistance becomes a central pillar of Kurdish identity.

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to acknowledge the helpful comments of Dr Bahar Başer, Dr Caroline Chatwin and Dr Dara Conduit on earlier drafts of this paper, as well as those of the two anonymous reviewers.

Notes

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3. Participants were interviewed on the understanding that their contributions would be confidential. Names have been changed throughout this paper to protect the identity of the interviewees. Given the sample size and methodologies employed, this article does not claim to be representing the views of all Kurds in Diyarbakır; rather, it relates themes that recurred in many conversations and interviews. It should be noted that there is considerable diversity in outlook and political perspective amongst Kurds in Turkey, not all of whom necessarily subscribe to a narrative of oppression. Indeed, there are many Kurds who downplay or even renounce their ethnic identity, while there are still others who support the AKP and other political parties and do not feel any need to ‘resist’.

4. ‘Erdoğan: Past mistakes in fighting terrorism helped PKK.’ (2013, January 22). Today’s Zaman. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20130122172829/http://todayszaman.com/news-304769-.html

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6. Erdoğan got his way eventually, winning a referendum, with a slim majority, in April 2017, to initiate the shift to a new presidential system.

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