The Perception of The Laz People in Ekşi Sözlük: Patriotic, Intelligent and Humorous People

Abstract

In this study, the researchers have tried to determine what the perception of the Laz people by the Turkish society was. Although the ethnic origins of the Laz people in the past might be different; in the last millennium the Laz people have not only become culturally close to the Turks but also they have become ethnically united through marriages. In this process, the Laz people and Turks came to share the same religious and similar cultural codes and finally became relatives. Almost all Laz people in İstanbul and in other big cities have social, political and cultural integration with other Anatolian peoples, and this integration is evident in all its dimensions, even in Rize and Artvin, the homeland of the Laz people. In this study, the perception of the Laz people by the Turkish society was studied in 247 comments on the articles regarding the Laz people and the concept of Laz in Ekşi Sözlük. The entries were separated and analyzed as positive and negative comments. Consequently, it was understood that the perception of the Laz people by the Turkish society was predominantly positive and the Turkish people perceived the Laz people as patriotic, intelligent and humorous people.