Cultural transfer practices among Albanian immigrants living in Bursa: Example of Zafer Distrcit

This study principally focused on the cultural identities of the Albanian immigrants from Bursa, which can be constructed, transformed, and transferred. The study aims to examine which reference points the Albanian immigrants from Bursa used to construct their cultural identities in the post-migration process. The further aim of the study is to examine the identity structures of the Albanian immigrants from Bursa that have hybridized as a result of their interaction with different cultures. On the one hand, traces of their hybrid identities were sought in the meanings they attributed to "being an Albanian living in Bursa", and on the other hand, their reflections on transfer practices such as "states of womanhood", "living together", "raising children" and "marriage rituals", were examined. Albanian immigrants living in Bursa, who migrated to Turkey at regular intervals from the 1912–1913 Balkan Wars to the present, have not been the subject of many academic studies despite living in Turkey for a long time; thus, this thesis aims to make a contribution to relevant literature and fill the gap in the literature. For this purpose, a qualitative research method was applied. In addition, semi-structured interview techniques and observation techniques were utilized to collect data. Along with this, the discourse analysis technique was used for the analysis of the data. The study is limited to Zafer Mahallesi, which is located within the boundaries of the Osmangazi district of Bursa and is one of the neighborhoods where Albanian immigrants live intensely. The research group of the study consists of first and following generations of Albanian immigrants residing in Zafer Neighborhood or residing there for a while who migrated from North Macedonia and Kosovo. The findings obtained from the study were examined under three headings. Foremost, it is seen that Albanian immigrants define themselves through the norms and rules they have to comply with due to their strong ties to the community, including their country of origin and the post-migration process. In the second part of the findings, what was obtained about how and in which regions the Albanians living in Bursa settled in the city was conveyed. It has been observed that they live in a large area formed by the establishment of more than one neighborhood, including Zafer Neighborhood, the area that is generally defined as "under the garage". It has been observed that they can maintain their cultural identity because they live together in this region. However, as a result of the immigrants living in Bursa for many years and their contact with other cultures in the city, it is seen that their cultural identities have begun to show hybrid identity characteristics. In the third part of the findings, it is possible to see the reflections of hybridization at the level of practice when the past and present practices of the practices that are both a part and a transmitter of the Albanian cultural identity are compared. In this transformation experienced in transfer practices, it was the practical "womanhood states" that created the first domino effect. The transformation of "womanhood states" has transformed transference practices such as "marriage rituals", "living together" and "child-rearing". Therefore, it is possible to see the hybridization of Albanian cultural identity through the change of meanings attributed to "being a woman" in Albanian culture.