Torsello, Davide - Pappová, Melinda: Social Networks in Movement. Time, interaction and interethnic spaces in Central Eastern Europe - Nostra Tempora 8. (Somorja-Dunaszerdahely, 2003)
Time and social networks
42 Árendás Zsuzsanna Introduction The aim of this study1 is to analyse the accommodation and integration strategies of a resettled ethnic group of Hungarians from the county of Galanta, deported from former Czechoslovakia, to Hird (a village 5 kilometres from Pécs, southwestern Hungary ) in the spring of 1947. The study is based on anthropological fieldwork (narrative interviews and participant observation), conducted between September 1998 and February 1999. The analysis is organized around three questions: 1. the internal relationships among the resettled group in Hird, 2. their relationships with fellow-villagers in Hird (“native Hungarians” and Germans), 3. their connections with their native village in Slovakia and its present inhabitants. My intention is to describe and analyse these relationships, their dynamics in space and time, and the differences among the various generations of resettled people. In the first instance, a review of some anthropological and social theories discussing questions of group identity and group-level dynamics (e.g. integration, assimilation, etc.) seems appropriate. Following this, the internal relations of the resettled group are discussed, their “interethnic" relations within the village of Hird, and their ties toward the native land. Finally, in a brief summary, the main conclusions of the study are presented. Methodology The data collection was based on the methods of cultural anthropology. The choice of field was determined both by objective and subjective circumstances. The village of Hird is situated close to Pécs (Hungary), on a city bus-line. The journey from Pécs takes approximately 20 minutes. This was an important factor in my decision to study this village, so to be able to reach the field easily, and thus regularly. The other main reason for my choice was that some families from my native village in Slovakia (Matuškovo2) were
