“A Home Away from Home”: The Case of the Yurt Homeland Association in Gebze

This article addresses the question of how hometown associations (HTAs, hereafter) transform into meaningful spaces, or homes, for internal migrant groups in Turkey and how they are perceived within this context. While previous research has primarily focused on the functions, transnational and translocal interactions, and contributions of HTAs to the migrants’ origin, spatial factors have often been overlooked. Utilising ethnographic research conducted from 2013 to 2018 and a review of existing literature on the topic of 'home' studies, this study examines how migrants create a sense of 'home' in HTAs, with a particular focus on the role of face-to-face interactions, objects, and practices. The research findings demonstrate that the transformation of HTAs into a 'home' is achieved through the actions of the association leaders and the utilisation of home-making practices and objects. These processes and interactions are crucial for fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort among migrants. Furthermore, the article underscores that migrants seek this sense of belonging, which significantly influences their identities. Ultimately, the spatial analysis of fellow townsmen associations demonstrates that the associations are not merely a physical structure; they are also an emotional labour, the implementation of which, objects, and interactions play a crucial role.