Collective memory and flood disasters; Case of Esenyamaç village in Başkale, Van

This thesis aims to sociologically analyze the impact of the 2021 flood disaster in Esenyamaç village, located in the Başkale district of Van province, on the collective memory of the local population. Based on the premise that natural disasters generate not only physical destruction but also profound social and cultural consequences, the study is framed within the theories of collective memory, disaster sociology, and the interrelations of space and identity. The central focus lies in understanding how catastrophic events like floods are remembered by individuals and communities, through which narratives they are transmitted, and how these narratives evolve over time. A qualitative research method was used within the framework of a phenomenological approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. Through these in-depth interviews, the content of individual and collective narratives, forms of post-traumatic silence, the formation of memory spaces, and practices of remembering were analyzed. The study also evaluated the spatial memory structure of the village through observation Findings reveal that disasters represent not only a material rupture but also a traumatic disruption in collective memory. This memory process-shaped by silence, suppression, and narrative also forms the basis for the community's collective resilience strategies against potential future disasters. Thus, this study contributes not only to academic literature but also provides insight for disaster management policies through a sociological lens.