Circassian identity in İstanbul

This study aims to define Circassian identity in Istanbul, how they define themselves, to try to understand how they express being a Circassian/Circassian Identity in their memories at ?present?, to witness the change and transformation of their conventions and values through the Circassian eyes, and to reflect what hope, expectation or possibility they give voice to for from now on while telling the ?old times? on the basis of the ?other?. Also, it aims to reflect the differences in defining their identity through the change and transformation in their conventions and values within the context of modernism and postmodernism by comprehending their social and political attitudes and expectations. What?s more, it tries to express historically the social meaning of being a Circassian and the changes in time specific to Habze and Circassian associations.In the study, between Nov 2010 - June 2011the oral history method has been used. Conducted by a researcher who is matrilineal Circassian, Circassian identity is intended to analyse the context of being a ?hybrid?, a half-Circassian or a half-Turkish, ?self? and ?other?. While it is narrated what being a Circassian means before/during the research and in the thesis phase, the transitional processes and grounds caused by this situation are framed. The socio-political grounds, on which the changes and transformations in Circassian identity and values are dependent, are also expressed.