Abstract
Based on ethnographic research in a Muslim town in Bulgaria, this study provides a comparative analysis, exploring the modernization of sex and sexuality within three generations of Pomaks (Slavic Muslims). Although the modernization of sexuality was “postponed” by the repression against Muslims in Bulgaria during communism known as “Rebirth process”, the results from the study show that the detraditionalization of sexuality is not a rapid and recent process and that different (hidden) forms of sexual/intimate interaction have existed long before the democratic changes after 1989. The liberalization of the sexual attitudes after 1989 was strongly intensified by the opening of a high school in the community, the development of the local economy, and the influence of media. The emerging non-traditional models of sexual behavior and attitudes are initiated primarily by women with higher education within the context of women rights and independence. However, the modernization is not a homogeneous linear process but is rather adapted to the local customs and expectations and depends greatly on the educational status of women. Paying particular attention to the women’s sexuality, this study analyzes the processes of detraditionalization of sexuality in comparison to another Muslim community in Bulgaria known for its re-traditionalization in terms of gender and sexuality because of the influence of Arabic organizations. The results suggest that the ethnic isolation and the following need for ethnic identification of Pomaks has intensified two opposite tendencies regarding sexual attitudes in two similar communities.
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Notes
National Statistic Institute of Bulgaria.
Famous Turkish female writer.
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Acknowledgments
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Tanya Kotseva for the helpful advices during my field work and to Gary Dowsett and Georgi Malinov who read the first draft of this article and suggested major improvements.
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Written consent from all the participants has been obtained and their names have been substituted with different names in the transcription process. Before the interviews took place the procedure guaranteeing confidentiality of the data was explained to the respondents. Since the questionnaire and in-depth interviews included sensitive and personal question all the participants were informed that the study was anonymous and voluntary and they can refuse to answer to a specific question or drop out of the study without any obligations.
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Darakchi, S. Dynamics in the Notions of Sexuality Among Three Generations of Bulgarian Muslims. Sexuality & Culture 21, 1197–1214 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-017-9446-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-017-9446-6