Homeland perception and identity in diaspora: Case study of Kazakh diaspora in Germany

In contemporary times, the concept of diaspora has gained significant scholarly interest. The concept which dates back to 2500 years refers to a community dispersed from the original homeland, especially as a result of forced traumatic displacement and scattered to different parts of the world while preserving the myth about homeland and collective memory. In the post-modern world the diaspora concept has begun to be engaged new discussions, which turns its relationship with concepts such as identity and belonging. In this regard, the Kazakh diaspora in Germany being examined in this thesis garnered noteworthy scrutiny from an analytical standpoint as a case study due to its multiply scattered nature. The Kazakh diaspora has had a long journey before finally settling in Germany whose ancestors fled the growing oppressive politics of China in East Turkestan from the western province of Xinjiang. After a long and difficult journey through the Himalayas and Tibet, they reached India in 1940s and settled in Turkey in 1950s and further moved to Germany in 1960s. Hence, we are discussing about the existence of unique Kazakh diaspora in the context of four countries, which has formed over time, undergone various transformations from the past to the present day. Diaspora individuals are consistently faced with the challenge of simultaneously existing in distinct home and host society realms and experiencing separate lived experiences. In this regard, it was of great importance to investigate the homeland orientation and a sense of belonging of the Kazakh diaspora living in Germany. For these individuals who have been forced to leave their homeland in the past, the idea of keeping the original culture "alive" is substantial notwithstanding the disconnection from homeland and the influence of globalization. An inquiry that emerges in this particular situation is the way in which the diasporic identities are constructed, practiced perceived, and negotiated. The tension of "living here and but remembering and desiring another place" determines how the identities of diaspora members are constructed. On the other hand, the firsthand encounter with the Kazakh diaspora as transnational community reveals the fragility of the idea that identity should be rooted in one's solid origins only. The presented study is based on empirical field research attempting to shed light on the various aspects of Kazakh diaspora members' belonging and homeland orientation, attitudes, discourses and practices related to it that are found in everyday life interactions and analyze how they are transformed over time. Key words: diaspora, identity, homeland, Kazakh diaspora.