SUMMARY:

Petr Meilakhs’ article explores how “homeland” is conceptualized in modernist theories of nationalism, nationalist discourses, and theories of ethno-symbolism. The author surveys the most important contemporary conceptualizations of territoriality in visions of nationhood and argues that of all “grand” theories of nationalism, the ethno-symbolic conception offers the most detailed analysis of the concept of “homeland.” To substantiate this argument, the author suggests a particular case study of ethno-symbolism focused on representations of homeland and native land among the Meskheti Turks of Central Russia. The study revealed that the informants put forward multiple representations of homeland. Most respondents considered both Meskhetia and Turkey as their ultimate “homeland.” Correspondingly, most informants wish to settle and build homes exactly on these historical lands of their ancestors (or believed ancestors) and not in wealthy and politically stable countries, which are not perceived as homelands. These responses confirm the ethno-symbolic theory of “homeland,” which focuses on the symbolic rather than instrumental value of “native land” in the framework of national and ethnic self-descriptions.