This thesis examines the principle of national self-determination as it pertained to the Kurdish population of the Middle East after the First World War and the legacy that it has left behind. The end of the War was characterized by a shift from empires to the European state system. This transition necessitated the redrawing of political borders. As victors of the War, Britain, France, Italy, and the United States of America had the power to influence the future of the continent in terms of creating nation-states. While nation-states were created in Europe, a mandate system was implemented in the Middle East. The Great Powers divided the Middle East into British and French spheres of influence. In so doing, the Kurds were left without a state. This research provides a case study for the Kurds at the close of the First World War and examines the obstacles they face today as the struggle for autonomy continues.

The purpose of this paper is to study the processes of identity and feelings of connectedness among first and second generation of Kurds in the Swedish society. In previous research I assumed that this sense of belonging to a nation includes identity and language. As regards the theory part, I have chosen to use a number of studies to elucidate this issue. The theories used in the study focuses primarily on the understanding of identity. Identity in this context can include linguistic, religious, cultural acts, even nationality or that claiming membership to a particular group. I have implemented twenty-four depth interviews with first and second generation of Kurds in the ages 21–58. Some of these respondents came to Sweden as refugees during the 1980s - either alone or with their families, and some of them started a family after assuming residence in Sweden. The other respondents, called second generation of Kurds, either came as children or were born here in Sweden. The method used in this thesis is a qualitative data study which aims to create a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of the phenomenon or event explored. I chose the qualitative research method because it provides an appropriate framework for performing this type of study where the focus is in a deep description of personal experiences. Results from my research shows that almost all respondents have a sense of belonging to their original homeland (Kurdistan) and their second homeland Sweden. Respondents identify themselves based on how others in society perceive and categorize them. It also appeared that the second generations of Kurds have better opportunities to influence, act, communicate, balance and to create as well as recreate their identity than the first generation of Kurds. The results show that the younger generations of Kurds have a stronger ability and courage to exhibit their chosen existence or identity(s) in the Swedish society. Their curiosity and tolerance are part of this new young generation of Kurds, and they are building a strong identity within their environment. According to the respondents, the first socialization begins in the family. The family's dear and close people is the individual's first contact with the outside world.

This thesis examines the principle of national self-determination as it pertained to the Kurdish population of the Middle East after the First World War and the legacy that it has left behind. The end of the War was characterized by a shift from empires to the European state system. This transition necessitated the redrawing of political borders. As victors of the War, Britain, France, Italy, and the United States of America had the power to influence the future of the continent in terms of creating nation-states. While nation-states were created in Europe, a mandate system was implemented in the Middle East. The Great Powers divided the Middle East into British and French spheres of influence. In so doing, the Kurds were left without a state. This research provides a case study for the Kurds at the close of the First World War and examines the obstacles they face today as the struggle for autonomy continues.

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L’examen de différentes formes d’expression vocales et instrumentales kurdes d'Iran et d'Irak, liées à quatre dialectes, permet de dégager un idiom commun de la musique traditionnelle kurde, avec sa grammaire modale et rythmique. Cette recherche s'appuie sur des enquêtes dans les régions kurdes d’Iran et d’Irak et sur la collecte d'une centaine d'heures d’enregistrements de mélodies vocales et instrumentales. Elle prend en compte la diversité linguistique et religieuse ainsi que la place de la musique, de la poésie, de la danse et des instruments et fait apparaître une certaine unité au-delà de la diversité des formes. / The study of the various types of Iranian and Iraki Kurdish vocal and instrumental types of expression, associated to four forms of language, enables to delinate the commonalities within traditional Kurdish music, its rythms and modes. The research is based on detailed investigations performed on-site in Kurdish speaking regions of Iran and Irak as well as on more than hundred hours of recordings. Beyond the large diversity of expression resulting from linguistic and religious diversity, local specificies in the use of instruments and from the different roles played by poetry and dance in musical expression, the study eventually reveals the common roots of Kurdish music.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate statements made by the leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (the PKK), Abdullah Öcalan. The selection of material and scope were motivated by a rhetorical shift of strategy of the historically violent PKK, proposing cooperation as a solution to the suppression of the Kurdish minority within the Turkish nation-state. Investigation of the statements was done using Carol Bacchi’s “What’s the problem represented to be?” approach. It was chosen as both methodological frame and theoretical approach. The primary objective is to interrogate problem representations. The “WPR approach” constitutes a reflective research practice enabling critical assessment of what presuppositions and assumptions constitute a particular problem representation. Critically investigating a problem representation and its proposed solution resulted in an advanced understanding of the conflict between the Kurdish minority and the Turkish nation-state. What showed most interesting in the conducted study was not merely investigating this representation, but rather unraveling its underlying and supportive components such as presuppositions, assumptions, dichotomies and categorisations. A central finding was the discovery of what was left unproblematic and silenced in this particular problem representation.

No description available.