In recent decades, the island of Cyprus has occupied a significant place in geopolitical and anthropological discussions, primarily due to its protracted conflict and contested sovereignty. A pioneering study by N. Moudouros titled “Settler colonialism or a hybrid case? Dimensions of colonization in Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot–settler antagonism” published in the International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology (2025) delves deep into the complex nature of colonization processes, challenging conventional frameworks to better understand the unique settler dynamics on the island. As tensions endure between Turkish Cypriots and settlers, Moudouros’s work emphasizes the necessity to reevaluate the conceptual lens used to analyze Cyprus’s colonial entanglements.
The study rigorously interrogates the classical definitions of settler colonialism by applying an innovative hybrid model that captures the fluid realities of colonization in Cyprus. Instead of framing the situation as a straightforward case of settler colonialism, the research exposes the convergence of state-led settlement policies, ethnic-national antagonisms, and enduring local agency that complicate the status quo. This nuanced approach highlights the limitations of traditional categorizations that often overlook the layered historic and sociopolitical contexts peculiar to Cyprus’s division and resettlement patterns.
At the heart of the article lies the contested interactions between Turkish Cypriots, the indigenous community of Northern Cyprus, and the settlers brought predominantly from mainland Turkey since the island’s de facto partition following the 1974 conflict. Moudouros underscores that these interactions are marked by persistent hostility, competition over land, resources, and identity, fostering an antagonism that cannot be reduced merely to ethnic frictions. Instead, it is embedded within structural colonial impositions that reconfigure demographics while simultaneously sustaining power asymmetries.
To understand this dynamic, Moudouros embarks on an ethnographic exploration grounded in fieldwork and archival research. The evidence reveals the settlers’ ambiguous identity position: neither fully integrated members of Turkish Cypriot society nor external colonizers in the classical sense. This ambiguity renders the colonial matrix on the island particularly unstable. Drawing on frameworks from postcolonial theory and settler colonial studies, the study situates Cyprus within a broader constellation of hybrid colonial formations, suggesting a paradigm shift in how settler colonialism is conceived and analyzed.
The article also brings attention to the spatial dimension of colonization, showcasing how land appropriation and settlement patterns have materially and symbolically reshaped Northern Cyprus. The transformation of territory through state-sponsored settlement projects epitomizes a governmental strategy to alter demographic compositions, uphold political claims, and marginalize dispossessed communities. Moudouros uncovers how such spatial engineering exacerbates ethnic antagonisms and complicates reconciliation prospects by producing enduring scars in the collective memory of displaced populations.
Moreover, the research engages with the role of identity politics amid this turbulent spatial reconfiguration. Turkish Cypriot narratives of victimhood and resistance interact with settlers’ often marginalized self-perceptions, resulting in a contested terrain of belonging and citizenship. These identity conflicts fuel a cycle of mistrust and sociopolitical fragmentation, which impedes the creation of a cohesive local polity capable of overcoming the colonial legacy. Moudouros argues that understanding these identity dynamics is critical for any future peace process or power-sharing arrangements on the island.
The article further situates the Cyprus case within the larger field of settler colonialism by comparing it with other global examples, such as Palestine, Algeria, and South Africa. While sharing similarities in state-driven settlement and demographic engineering, Cyprus’s colonial realities diverge in crucial respects, particularly with respect to the settlers’ ambiguous intermediate status and the persistent hybrid antagonism characterizing intergroup relations. By emphasizing these differences, the study calls for more elastic theoretical models accommodating diverse colonial experiences beyond the binary settler/indigenous paradigm.
Technically, Moudouros applies an interdisciplinary methodology combining political anthropology, historical sociology, and spatial analysis. The innovative use of GIS mapping of settlement growth juxtaposed with ethnographic interviews provides a multi-layered perspective on how colonial processes are spatially embedded and socially experienced. This technical sophistication enhances the explanatory power of the research, offering concrete data on the extent and impact of settler colonial restructuring in Cyprus.
An especially compelling aspect of the article is the exploration of settler agency and the ways settlers negotiate their ambiguous identity amid political contestation. Contrary to passive portrayals, settlers are depicted as active participants shaping and reshaping local power dynamics, often navigating competing pressures from the Turkish state, Turkish Cypriot communities, and their own survival imperatives. This agency further problematizes the simplistic binary of oppressors and oppressed, introducing complexity into the colonial tableau.
The research also sheds light on the psychological dimensions of colonization in Cyprus, particularly how prolonged antagonisms and displacement trauma influence collective memory and social cohesion. The dual experience of dispossession among Turkish Cypriots and the settlers’ internalized marginalization creates overlapping narratives of grievance, impeding dialogue. Moudouros insights into trauma-informed approaches underscore their potential relevance for conflict resolution strategies.
From a policy perspective, the article has significant implications. It cautions against one-size-fits-all models for conflict resolution or autonomy arrangements that fail to account for the unique hybrid colonial characteristics of Northern Cyprus. The study advocates for tailored solutions cognizant of settler-settlee relations, spatial injustices, and sociocultural fragmentation, demanding inclusive dialogue and innovative governance that embrace complexity rather than oversimplify it.
The article’s impact extends beyond academic debates, offering a timely and rigorous framework for diplomats, peacebuilders, and policymakers involved in Cyprus’s ongoing struggle for political normalization. By illuminating the structural realities underlying ethnic antagonism and demographic restructuring, Moudouros equips stakeholders with a deeper understanding essential for sustainable peacebuilding efforts and regionally attuned international engagement.
In conceptual terms, the study challenges entrenched binaries in settler colonial discourse, proposing a hybrid spectrum model attentive to liminal identities and multifaceted power struggles. This theoretical advancement enriches anthropology and ethnology’s contributions to conflict studies, inviting scholars worldwide to reconsider how settler colonialism manifests in variegated geopolitical contexts.
The depth and rigor of Moudouros’s analysis establish the article as a landmark contribution that redefines how colonization and resistance intersect on Cyprus. Its comprehensive scope—from micro-level social interactions to macro-structural forces—and its interdisciplinary methodology make it a vital reference work for anyone seeking to engage seriously with the island’s unresolved postcolonial realities.
Ultimately, this scholarship underscores that colonial legacies cannot be easily erased or neatly categorized. Instead, they persist in complex hybrid forms, manifested in everyday antagonisms and spatial manipulations, demanding nuanced attention if meaningful reconciliation and decolonization are to be achieved. Cyprus stands as a powerful case exemplifying these broader lessons, its story echoing in postcolonial struggles across the globe.
As the international community pursues peace and stability in Cyprus, Moudouros’s work provides an intellectual compass guiding deeper understanding and more effective policy approaches. The study’s blend of technical precision and fresh theoretical insight promises to inspire ongoing research and dialogues in settler colonial studies well into the future.
Subject of Research: Colonization processes and settler colonial dynamics in Cyprus; Turkish Cypriot–settler relations and antagonisms.
Article Title: Settler colonialism or a hybrid case? Dimensions of colonization in Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot–settler antagonism.
Article References:
Moudouros, N. Settler colonialism or a hybrid case? Dimensions of colonization in Cyprus and Turkish Cypriot–settler antagonism. International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology 9, 14 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41257-025-00137-7
Image Credits: AI Generated
