Embracing heritage

Baghdadi Shahsavans' strategies to preserve their cultural identity in Qom

Bibliographic Data

ID2955825
AuthorsSamira Nouri (0009-0008-1157-9624, Allameh Tabataba'i University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume31
Issue1
Pages81-98
Publication date2025-01-02
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Identities (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1350-4630 • E-ISSN: 1363-0296
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13504630.2024.2420975
OpenAlexW4404060429
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited37

This study seeks to determine to what extent the Baghdadi Shahsavans have been successful in maintaining their tribal identity after years of living in Qom and what strategies have they employed for this? The method used in this research for data collection and analysis is the Grounded Theory. The findings show that the majority of Baghdadi Shahsavans have a much greater sense of belonging to tribal identity compared to urban identity. Even their interest in Qom arises through tribal affiliation, which is strengthened through intra-group relations. The findings show that the preservation of tribal identity has been possible because of three strategies: (1) the demarcation of identity, which results from cultural pride and attributing positive features to own tribe, (2) the preservation of cultural identity, which includes the preservation of customs and traditions, adherence to intra-group visits, cherishing tribal music, and speaking in Shahsavani, and (3) insisting on the tribal identity in response to threatening dangers. This study shows that Baghdadi Shahsavans prioritize their Iranian national identity over urban identity indicating that both tribal and national identities hold more significance for them compared to urban identity. This study also examined the lifestyle of Baghdadi Shahsavans after making settlements in Qom. The findings show that their settlement in the city provided them with a new tribal identity in accordance with their new urban environment

Aesthetics · Archaeology · Cultural heritage · Cultural identity · Environmental ethics · Geography · Social science · Sociology · Anthropology · Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography · Islamic Studies and History · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Philosophy

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