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Abstract

Due to the outbreak of civil war in Syria and the ensuing climate of instability that forced them to leave their country, some individuals of Circassian origin have headed to Kayseri province, where a dense Circassian population resides in Turkey. Support was provided to these migrants by various circles, primarily the institutions of the Republic of Turkey and Circassian non-governmental organizations. Particularly, the fact that Syrian Circassians bear a Muslim identity facilitated their acceptance and inclusion in aid efforts by groups that are not of Circassian origin. However, some of the arrivals have preferred to go to the Caucasus, showing a tendency to return to the historical homeland they were forced to leave during the 1864 Great Circassian Exile.

This study addresses the life experiences of Syrian Circassian families settled in Kayseri province. Within the scope of the research, the main problem areas encountered by these families will be examined around social dimensions such as language barriers and social integration processes, employment opportunities and working conditions, social prejudices and practices of othering. Methodologically, the study will be based on data obtained from in-depth interviews conducted with 15 families and their members, identified in accordance with sociological research methods, using semi-structured interview forms.

The research aims to reveal the participants' proficiency levels in their mother tongue (Circassian), the difficulties and advantages they experience in the Turkish learning process, the attitudes of Kayseri society towards Syrian Circassians, the disadvantageous situations arising from living in a neighboring country, and the contributions of the recognition and social capital provided by Circassian identity to the integration process, despite the risk of possible xenophobia.

Keywords: Syrianness, Kayseri, Circassian Identity, Refugee Status.

Note: I would like to send the same abstract to DAVO Congress 2026/September 10-12.