نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانشجوی دکترای جامعه‌شناسی فرهنگی گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران.
2 استادیار گروه علوم اجتماعی دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران.
3 دانشیار گروه علوم اجتماعی دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژه‌ها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Description and Interpretation of the Mechanisms of Ethnicization among the Maraghians of Alamut
This study aims to analyze the ethnic identity of the Maraghians of Alamut through the lens of the primordialist approach and by employing Clifford Geertz’s method of thick description. The central research question is whether the Maraghians can be defined as an independent ethnic group, and how their cultural and social identity has persisted amid social and cultural changes. The purpose of this article is to assess the possibility of defining the Maraghians of Alamut as a distinct ethnicity by evaluating the theoretical indicators of primordialism in light of interpretive data (thick description).
To address this question, Geertz’s method of thick description was employed, focusing on careful observation, analysis of symbols, and interpretation of cultural meanings in the social behaviors of the Maraghians. Recognized as one of the principal techniques in ethnography, this method enables the researcher to uncover hidden layers of cultural meaning within rituals and social practices. Data for this study were collected through field observations and semi-structured interviews. The researcher traveled to Maraghian villages in the Alamut region, directly observing social interactions, ceremonies, and customs. By examining religious beliefs, cultural attitudes, ethnic symbols, marriage practices, funeral rites, and other distinctive behaviors of the Maraghian community, the study sought to analyze their ethnic identity.
The findings of this study indicate that the Maraghians have preserved their ethnic identity by maintaining distinct cultural and ritual features—particularly cultural practices and religious beliefs that blend ancient traditions with Shia Islamic teachings. Certain cultural behaviors, such as endogamous marriage, restrictions on divorce, and the performance of exclusive religious rituals, are distinguishing features of Maraghian cultural identity. Additionally, religious ceremonies, the separation of burial sites, and the safeguarding of ritual secrets are further signs that reinforce the ethnic identity of the Maraghians. These symbols and practices serve as significant cultural elements in identifying the Maraghians of Alamut as an independent ethnic group.
The results of this study show that, from a primordialist perspective, the Maraghians of Alamut can be defined as a distinct ethnic group. This community has demonstrated resilience against social changes and threats by preserving its unique cultural, social, and ritual characteristics. Moreover, certain local figures—such as Mollā Pir Ahmad—have played influential roles in transmitting Maraghian customs and cultural traditions, with these roles being reflected in the continuity of key aspects of their identity. Overall, the study indicates that the ethnic identity of the Maraghians of Alamut is the product of an ongoing relationship between ancient cultural elements and reinterpreted social practices in a contemporary context. Even in the face of modernization and social change, the boundaries of this identity are maintained through ongoing engagement with tradition and dynamic social relations. The novelty of this research lies in its emphasis on the need for a multidimensional approach—one that simultaneously values both traditional components and dynamic social forces—for understanding and redefining local ethnicity.
Keywords: Maraghians of Alamut, ethnic identity, primordialism, thick description, Clifford Geertz, ethnography
کلیدواژه‌ها [English]
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