Identity, culture and belonging in the iron mining landscape of the Canigou Mountain, France.

This research examines the relationship between place, culture and identity in a population which lies at the heart of a long history of iron-mining. Known as Catalonia du Nord (North Catalonia) or French Catalonia, the region is a blend of French and Catalan cultures and the Canigou mountain, which is at the heart of this study, is the symbol of Catalans on either side of the border. Situated in a rural location at the eastern end of the French Pyrenees, the area has witnessed demographic change and industrial decline since the last mine closed in 1985. Consequently this research was designed to explore the ways in which the local population embed their sense of belonging in this mountain landscape. An inductive approach allowed for data to be generated from fifty-seven participants from five former mining villages. These numbers included a significant proportion of incomers to the area, including a variety of European nationalities, who had settled in the communities. The importance of place emerged from the interviews as a potent feature of the cultural environment. The region has links with the Catalans south of the border with Spain, whilst at the same time is part of the French nation. Investigation of this duality reveals regional and national identity sit side by side but that strong local feelings emerge when this regional identity is threatened. Local cultural practices embody the present-day identity of these communities in the landscape. Rather than portraying culture as a fixed feature, this study also highlights the concept of cultural flow which accounts for the way in which people can cross cultural boundaries.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Jenkins Carter, Sharon

• DC Ffrainc
• H Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol (Cyffredinol)

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3110