The language of jokes and the Turkmen of Kirkuk

Kirkuk, with its historical and cultural richness, is one of the important cities of the Middle East, home to a diverse range of ethnic communities. The Turkmens in this city are an important part of the ethnic diversity. However, how the Turkmens of Kirkuk are perceived by other ethnic groups, such as Arabs and Kurds, and how these perceptions affect social cohesion, has not been deeply studied from a folkloric perspective until now. This thesis aims to explore how the Turkmens in Kirkuk are recognized and perceived by Arabs and Kurds through jokes. The focus will be on how these jokes reflect such perceptions and how they shape the social structure. The long-standing ethnic and sectarian tensions in Iraq have deepened the identity issues of the Turkmens and affected intergroup relations. The Turkmens of Kirkuk face various ethnic and linguistic challenges. This thesis analyzes how intergroup perceptions are shaped through jokes told by Arabs and Kurds about the Turkmens of Kirkuk. Stereotypes about Turkmens, as conveyed in these jokes, influence intergroup perceptions. The linguistic elements in these jokes provide important clues on how social and cultural stereotypes are shaped. A qualitative research method has been used in this study to analyze the social perceptions in Kirkuk, and jokes told by Turkmens, Arabs, and Kurds have been collected through face-to-face interviews. The study also focuses on the humorous perspectives on political figures, particularly figures like Saddam Hussein, in Turkmen jokes. The thesis aims to contribute to understanding ethnic and cultural diversity in Iraq and to propose solutions that will strengthen social relations.