This project supports the dissertation research of a cultural anthropologist studying the nature of Turkish ethnic identity in North Cyprus. Two competing alternatives, the "purely Turkish" and the "Cypriot" compete for the allegiance of the population. The project will investigate how adherents of each position redefine the critical period of history from Cypriot independence (1960) to the division of the island into two separate ethnic communities (1974) to support their political goals. Methods include the examination of archives of official documents as well as in-depth interviews and participant observation. This research is important because ethnic identity and contestation seems to be an increasing feature of the modern world. Understanding how, and why similar groups define themselves as different can help policy makers cope with the resulting antagonisms.
