KIN-COOPERATIONS: Illegal Cooperation and Kinship Dynamics—An Anthropological Analysis of al-Rāšidīya in Germany

• Applicant: Mahmoud Jaraba, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Social and Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology ; Criminology ; Political Science
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 539646035

KIN-COOPERATIONS offers an anthropological approach to investigating so-called ‘clan crime’ (‘Clan-Kriminalität’) in Germany. It seeks to critically reassess the dominant perception of ‘clan’ (Arabic: ʿašīra, pl. ʿašā’ir) — a term that, both within German law enforcement and wider public discourse, often evokes images of insular, crime-focused homogeneous groups. Instead, my project advocates a more nuanced understanding, considering ʿašīra to symbolize the social units woven together by shared attributes such as ethnicity, a collective historical narrative, and mutual family interests, as well as imagined kinship, which allows for connections not necessarily bound by rigid hierarchies or genealogical links. At the core of this project is an anthropological study of a kinship group in Germany who claim ancestral ties to al-Rāšidīya (Turkish: Üçkavak), a village in Turkey’s Mardin province where an Arabic dialect is spoken. This village serves as the origin for many families and individuals associated with so-called ‘clan crime.’ The project adopts a two-fold approach, each with distinct objectives. The first aspect concentrates on understanding the intricate relationships, authority structures, and cooperation within the community of al-Rāšidīya. This part investigates the existing complex kinship patterns in the community, delving into normative aspects of these relationships, examining how they intersect with other systems like state law, religious beliefs, and broader societal norms. The second-dimension shifts focus to activities considered illegal by German state authorities, aiming to provide a nuanced, empirical explanation of these actions in the context of transnational kinship practices and norms. This includes observed patterns of authority and cooperation as well as broader economic, social, and political factors in Germany. Contrary to the prevailing belief that so-called ‘clan crime’ is organized hierarchically, I argue that it is primarily decentralized. Activities like drug trafficking and tax evasion generally occur either autonomously or within small groups that are loosely affiliated. In this project, I refer to these affiliations as ‘illegal cooperation’ among specific sub-kinship groups. In this segment, I examine both internal kinship dynamics and external factors, including societal stigmas, political pressures, and security concerns, to understand how these elements may either catalyze or inhibit illegal activities among individuals within al-Rāšidīya. This proposal integrates New Kinship Studies (NKS) and the Anthropology of Crime and Criminalization (ACC). NKS explores kinship beyond biology, factoring in societal changes and evolving practices, especially in migrant settings. ACC frames ‘illegal activities’ in a wide societal and economic context, beyond mere legal perspectives. Together, they offer a deeper insight into the complexities of illegality in its broad socio-cultural backdrop.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants