Social construction of identities: Pomaks in Bulgaria

Abstract

'There is an ongoing debate about whether individual and group identities are fixed and resistant to change or fluid, changing according to evaluation by individuals and groups of circumstances at a given time and place. This article, by examining the history of Pomak identities during the twentieth century, concludes that identities are socially constructed through performance, political struggle and compromise. Individuals and groups often use identities strategically to adapt to a variety of situations to produce and support effective self-concepts.' (author's abstract)