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Identity Transformations of African Communities in Iran

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The Persian Gulf in Modern Times

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Abstract

Time and space transform identity, self-perception, and the perception of others, and ethnic communities in Iran are not an exception to this. Given its important geographical position, Iran has been the locus of cultural, economic, and population exchanges for millennia. As elsewhere, newcomers gradually assimilated1 into and transformed native populations; indeed, cultural identities have constantly evolved in Iran, leading to the emergence of multiple ethnicities. This mosaic character of Iran can be classified in three ways: by nationality, ethnicity (e.g., Persian, Arab, Turk, Kurd, Baluch, Turkoman, etc.), and religious affiliation (e.g., Muslim Shi‘ite, Sunni, or Sufi; Christian; or Jew).

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Notes

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  1. Behnaz A. Mirzai
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Lawrence G. Potter

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© 2014 Lawrence G. Potter

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Mirzai, B.A. (2014). Identity Transformations of African Communities in Iran. In: Potter, L.G. (eds) The Persian Gulf in Modern Times. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137485779_14

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