IN SEARCH OF ONE’S OWN SELF A Case Study of the Social Construction of Pomak Ethno-religious Identity in Draginovo, Southwest Bulgaria Denitsa
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2019-08-19
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en
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This study examines the identity formation of Bulgarian-speaking Muslims, called Pomak. It is focused on how Pomak construct their ethno-religious identity and what elements are significant in the demarcation of ethnic boundaries between the Pomak community and other Bulgarians. The research was carried out in the village of Draginovo, Southwest Bulgaria. It provides insights into the lives of Pomak people, using an ethnographic approach, in which participant observation, open interviews and informal conversations were used as main tools for this study. This case study is of great interest in terms of shift of identities and identity formation. The findings that will be present indicate that the three most significant aspects of Pomak identity formation in Draginovo are religious belonging, situational use of their multiple names and Pomak female clothing. Pomak use these elements to adapt to certain situations. Moreover, the results of this case study also showed that these people’s aim for creating a separate identity is developing more and more.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen