Abstrakt
The book chapter presents an English translation of a Czech travelogue article published in 1889 about the then isolated and restive Dersim area in central Anatolia, written by Czech geographer Josef Wünsch (1842-1907). The authors note the originality of Wünsch's Czech-language writing for broader audience and analyze what makes his text different from reports and field notes written on Dersim by other authors.
Wünsch's approach is identified as a precursor to modern Area Studies. While some angles which would be relevant today are missing in his text, nevertheless, Wünsch brings an insight into socioeconomic dimensions of ethnic relations in Dersim.
In some instances, he refers to subordination, inequalities, and dependencies.