GENAGRA

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Genagra is a village in the Famagusta district, located in the Mesaoria/Mesarya plain, six kilometers southwest of Lefkoniko/Geçitkale(162). Goodwin claims that Genagra means “field of snakes” in Cypriot Greek. In 1958, Turkish Cypriots adopted an alternative Turkish name, Nergisli, or “place with narcissus flowers.”
 
 
Historical Population:

As can be seen from the chart above, Genagra was always a mixed village. Muslims constituted the majority until 1921. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the Greek Cypriot proportion of the population fluctuated between 46% and 54%. In 1960 Greek Cypriots constituted 52% of the population of Genagra/Nergisli.

Displacement:

There was no displacement from the village in 1963-4, but due to the intercommunal tensions in 1964, UNFCYP was stationed there, and remained until 1974. During the latter period, the Turkish Cypriot-controlled segment of the village served as a reception center for displaced Turkish Cypriots from neighboring villages. In 1971, geographer Richard Patrick recorded five displaced Turkish Cypriots still living there. From 1964 to 1974, the Turkish Cypriot-controlled segment of the village was administratively part of the Turkish Cypriot enclave of Chatos/Serdarlı(135). In 1971, Patrick estimated the village’s population at 290 Turkish Cypriots and 228 Greek Cypriots.

All of Genagra/Nergisli’s Greek Cypriot inhabitants were displaced in August 1974. They fled from the advancing Turkish army to the southern part of the island. Currently, like the rest of the displaced Greek Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots of Genagra are scattered throughout the island’s south. The displaced population of Genagra could be estimated to be around 230 since its Greek Cypriot population was 221 in 1960.

Current Inhabitants:

Currently the village is primarily inhabited by its original Turkish Cypriot villagers and displaced Turkish Cypriots from various locations in the Paphos and Larnaca districts. However, a small number of persons originally from nearby villages and from Turkey also currently reside in the village. The 2006 Turkish Cypriot census puts the total population of the village at 293.  


 
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