Türkiye and Kosovar Turks

Group Identity and Kin State Identification

Abstract

Since the early 21st century, Türkiye’s kin politics in the Balkans have evolved from ethnicity-based to focusing on religion and culture, broadening the definition of “kin communities” in modern Turkish politics. Building on the concept of “accidental diasporas,” this study examines the self-identification of the ethnic Turkish minority in
Kosovo, their perceived national identity, and the extent of belongingness they hold toward Türkiye in the light of its current kinship policy, which puts ethnic Turks in Kosovo in the same shoes as Albanians. Applying Brubaker’s criteria to assess the extent of the diasporic nature of the Kosovar Turkish community, the study argues that the community has maintained its ethnic boundaries and kin state attachment toward Türkiye despite earlier concerns and claims, allowing the community to be described as “an awakening diaspora.” The findings of the study are drawn from fieldwork and informal interviews conducted with ordinary members of the Turkish community in two locations, namely, Mamusha and Prizren.