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The Center for Middle Eastern Studies presents
Dr. Handan Karakas Demir
Visiting Fellow, Center for MIddle Eastern Studies, Harvard University
This talk delves into the auditory dimensions of place attachment in the pre-modern Ottoman context. It explores how soundscapes influenced connections with places and shaped both individual and communal senses of belonging and identity. The sonic environment of Ottoman places, ranging from the subtle whispers of bustling marketplaces to the calls to prayer echoing across cityscapes, encodes memories and emotions, while enriching ties to locations and reinforcing a sense of belonging. Capturing these diverse soundscapes provides valuable insights into collective identity, uncovering auditory symbols that contribute to a shared sense of belonging. Building upon this, this presentation aims to unveil the integral role of auditory experiences in defining place attachment and communal belonging within the Ottoman Empire. Specifically, the effects of auditory distance on perception of spatial boundaries and its influence on belonging will be examined through the lens of unsolved murder cases.
Contact: Liz Flanagan