SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This is a study of Turkish Cypriot settlers in London and it arises from fieldwork carried out in London and in northern Turkish Cyprus. Most Turkish Cypriot migrants to Britain have been resident here for around 20 years; many of their children were born in this country and there is every indication that they are making Britain their permanent home. The Turkish Cypriot population here must therefore be seen as a settled ethnic minority, and not as temporary migrant workers. Unlike studies of the race relations type which tend to focus on the various problems minority populations experience in Britain - for ex-ample, in the sphere of education, in obtaining housing and securing jobs - this study focusses on the economic, social and cultural organization of Turkish Cypriots here and the changes which are occurring and have occurred in these spheres. As the majority migrated for economic reasons, the work context receives initial consideration. It is suggested that economic interests are important determinants affecting decisions made in other areas of social life. In subsequent chapters, family roles and relationships are discussed, and the role and status of Turkish Cypriot women in Britain are examined. Ritual and celebratory occasions are given extensive consideration and, finally, Turkish Cypriot relations with other minority populations - especially Greek Cypriots - are described and analysed. In each case, the focus is London, but continual reference is made to the form taken by these activities and institutions in Cyprus. It is suggested throughout that Turkish Cypriots are not just passively fitting in to a dominant and discriminatory majority society, but that they are very positively maintaining; reorganising and even abandoning aspects of their traditional culture where it is practically convenient or economically advantageous to do so. The continuing adherence to certain norms which appear to have no particular relevance in the Lon-don context also has to be explained. In particular, the ritualisation of kinship ties and the maintenance of ethnic identity must, it is suggested, be understood in terms of a concept of 'alternative ideologies'. Since this is the first anthropological study to focus on Turkish Cypriot settlers in London, it is hoped that it will also provide a basis for future research.