- Van İnsani ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi
- Sayı: 10
- Transformation of Pastoral Migration Routes: Space, Memory, and Resistance in the Case of Batman
Transformation of Pastoral Migration Routes: Space, Memory, and Resistance in the Case of Batman
Authors : Numan Ertaş
Pages : 1-22
Doi:10.62068/visbid.1806994
View : 83 | Download : 225
Publication Date : 2025-12-29
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :This study comprehensively examines the spatial, cultural, and social transformations pastoral nomadism has undergone in recent years in Batman region. Nomadism, a historical form of subsistence in southeastern Turkey, has undergone a transformation under the influence of modernization, spatial constraints, economic pressures and environmental changes. The research analyzes changes in migration timing, the structural transformation of migration routes, the differentiation of transportation modes, and trends toward sedentary lifestyles. Designed with a descriptive quantitative research design, the study conducted a face-to-face survey with 300 participants living in the rural areas of central Batman and the surrounding areas, who currently engage in pastoral migratory activities or have engaged in this activity for an extended period in the past. The findings indicate that the migration period has narrowed from the previous March–November period to April–September, weakening the harmonious nature of the pastoral cycle. Traditional pedestrian migration routes have largely been transformed into truck and lorries, a shift that has led to both economic and cultural disruptions. The majority of participants plan to transition to a settled lifestyle. In conclusion, while the pastoral nomad system in Batman is showing a tendency to disintegrate in the face of economic hardships, modern spatial policies, and lifestyle pressures, cultural belonging and memory-based living practices persist. The study demonstrates that pastoral mobility is strategically important not only economically but also in terms of cultural identity, spatial belonging, and social continuity.Keywords : Pastoral Göçerlik, Batman, Modernleşme, Kültürel Dönüşüm, Yerleşik Yaşam Eğilimi
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