Primordialism, perennialism, modernism and ethno-symbolism: the perception of homeland and identity among Azerbaijani Lezgis

The state of ethnic self-perception amongst Lezgis, one of Azerbaijan’s largest ethnic minorities, has been in constant realignment in the post-Soviet period, as borders both physical and cultural have been built up or brought down, facilitating a multifaceted perspective of members of the same ethnic community. In the contemporary context, relative ethnic isolation of portions of the Lezgi population has resulted in perceived characteristics becoming the focal point for individuals’ ethnic identities, with theories such as primordialism, perennialism, ethno-symbolism and modernism becoming the primary explanatory features for where these hypothetical lines may be drawn. The research on this case study has sought to see what differences in perceptions between Lezgi communities from different districts of Azerbaijan there are and to what degree it affects their ethno-political identity. Research through semi-structured interviews has analyzed ethnic self-narratives of individuals from Azerbaijani regions of Qusar, Quba, Gabala, Ismayilli, Sheki and other districts. Findings have considered the main camps of ethno-nationalist identity and how it may affect the political dynamics of the broader Azerbaijani Lezgi community. On the basis of these findings, we have also sought to identify the theoretical void that renders the failure to inform different ethnic self-perceptions.