Domesticity and dwelling in displacement: home-making practices of Syrian women in Istanbul houses

Abstract

Combining architectural and cultural anthropological approaches, this study explores the domestic spaces of Syrian women in Istanbul in order to understand how they perform ‘home-making’ in a new social and architectural setting. Scholars who study migration and gender are increasingly interested in studying ‘home,’ but few studies examine migrant women’s spatial agency and how space and time are materialized by looking at past and present homes. Methodologically, we add to standard semi-structured interviews and photographic analysis, the method of mental map drawings of houses in Istanbul and reminisced houses from Syria. These methods allow us to examine interrelated spatio-temporal practices of material culture decorations of the residential interiors and (re)creating of daily routines from Syria within the residential interior. Each of these home-making practices is a form of personalisation, control of space and manner of performing gender roles while increasing contentment and belonging. By decorating with objects from Syria, plants, photos, carefully selected furniture; repurposing guestrooms into spaces of religious practice; and cooking, nurturing family members and hosting friends, women create domestic spaces of comfort. Ultimately, this research showcases how migrant women create homes out of new dwellings, even when they are not able to fully revive what has been lost.