Comparison of cultural identities of Bosnian people living in Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina

This thesis examines how the cultural and ethnic identities of Bosniaks have been shaped and preserved within the historical processes and migration dynamics in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey. The research focuses on the development of the cultural identities of Bosniak communities and their interactions with other nations, thoroughly analyzing the challenges faced by Bosniaks in both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey and their identity preservation strategies. The main objective of this thesis is to identify the factors that influence the preservation and development of Bosniaks' cultural identities and to analyze the socio-cultural impacts of these factors. In the thesis, topics such as "Identity, Culture, and Migration" are addressed, examining various dimensions of the identity concept and their importance within a socio-cultural framework. Additionally, cultural processes such as integration, assimilation, and acculturation are discussed in detail. The historical background of Bosniaks, Bosniak culture, and the sustainability of their cultures have been emphasized. The interactions of Bosniaks with other cultures are analyzed within the framework of time and space perception, and the impacts of these processes on their cultural identities are explored. A field study involving cultural work with Bosniaks in both geographies has been conducted, and findings have been analyzed using mixed methods. This thesis aims to contribute significant insights and recommendations on the effects of living in different geographies on the cultural identities of Bosniaks to the academic literature.