This paper examines how music and dance are functionalized in the construction of identity in the place of migration, based on the contexts of identity and identity in diaspora communities, through Ulupamir Kyrgyz. In the new geography where they settled after their migration, the Ulupamir Kyrgyz were positioned in a distinct socio-cultural distance with the Kurdish communities around them, which directly affected the processes of consolidating their identity. While the presence of the other strengthens the sense of belonging within the group, cultural practices such as dance and music are consciously instrumentalized in identity construction. Although dance is not part of traditional Kyrgyz culture, it has become a sign of identity after migration; instructors from Kyrgyzstan and digital information sources (internet, media) have been decisive in this transformation. Likewise, the practice of playing the komuz, music and oral narratives have played a central role in the preservation and reproduction of identity. The homeland was symbolically reproduced through dance and music; these practices not only ensured cultural continuity but also served as a bridge that strengthened the belonging of the diaspora community. As a result, it has been determined that music and dance play a critical function in the processes of Ulupamir Kyrgyz maintaining their cultural existence and reconstructing their identity after migration.
Ulupamir, Kyrgyz, İdentity, Dance, Music