The Migration Movements from Turkestan to Cukurova in the 20th Century and the Activities of the Turkestanis in Adana

During the early 20th century, mainly after the First World War and the Russian Revolution, Turkic peoples from Central Asia migrated to Anatolia for various reasons. In this study, a detailed analysis of the waves of immigration created by the Turkestanis to the Cukurova region is examined. Significantly, the largest flow of Turkestani immigration comprised in the 1950s. The number of Turkestani immigrants, which had increased at that time gathered activities in a center by establishing associations named The Turkestanian Freedom Fighters Aid Association and The Turkestanian Aid Association. The establishment of the association aroused particular interest among the Turkestani emigres living in Turkey and abroad. During the course of the Cold War, a major incident was the visit of Veli Kajum Khan, the President of the National Turkestanian Unity Committee and Baymirza Hayit, the Head of the Department of Communication and Organization to Adana. Kajum Khan and Hayit attended to the activities of the association and observed the unity of their fellow countrymen. The unity of the Turkestani people and their support for independence concerned the Soviet authorities. The study reveals the importance of the association and the activities carried out since its establishment. Moreover, periodicals published with the contribution of Turkestani people in Adana are examined.