Food and Foodways of the Maghrebian Diaspora in Turkey: Identity, Belonging, and Integration

Authors : Asma HEDİ NAİRİ

Pages : 176-199

Doi:10.17572/mj2023.1.176199

View : 83 | Download : 87

Publication Date : 2023-07-19

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The Maghrebian diaspora in Turkey is a significant and understudied population. This research investigates the role of food and foodways in expressing cultural identity, belonging, and integration for Maghrebian migrants residing in Turkey for more than a decade. Using a qualitative research methodology and semi-structured interviews with Tunisian, Algerian, Moroccan, and Libyan migrants, the study examines how food practices shape their sense of belonging and identity in Turkish society. The study finds that food serves as a tool for coping with homesickness, connecting with cultural heritage, and preserving memories of the past. It also reveals the importance of food practices in maintaining a sense of belonging to the broader society, including the family back home and the diasporic community in Turkey, and promoting cultural exchange between the Maghrebian community and Turkish society, thus facilitating the integration process. This study provides important insights into the ways in which food and foodways play a significant role in diaspora community formation and integration.
Keywords : food, foodways, diaspora, maghrebian diaspora, Turkey