“Kemançe” and “Mû-Zik”: Identity in Nusaybin Doms / “Kemançe” ve “Mû-Zik”: Nusaybinli Domlarda Kimlik*

Abstract

This study focuses on how Doms of Nusaybin, Mardin identify themselves. The study is based on the notion of identity as a key word. In this context, throughout the study interactions between Doms and Kurds are taken into consideration. In the intersection of these interactions music and rebap instrument take place. Doms of Nusaybin are musicians and they identify themselves as musicians. Also Kurds identify them through music. Rebap which is called locally “kemançe” is Doms’ main instrument. Being musician and kemançe are the basic framework of Dom identification. Kemançe is examined as a material culture element and throughout the study how kemançe plays roles in Dom identification is discussed. Through this framework the major concern to be explored is Dom identification. In addition to this major concern, this study also aims at considering relationship between people and objects. This study is based on the fieldwork conducted between 2011-2015 and 2018-2019. The research data was obtained by using participant observation and in-depth interviews techniques of ethnographic method. Based on the fieldwork as a result of this study it is concluded that kemançe is an agent of Dom identity and Dom identity is open to formulation and reformulation according to situations and contexts.

Keywords

• dom
• mıtrıp
• identity
• kemançe
• material culture
• music