For those who grew up in Greek-speaking Pontic families, the word "Bafralis" sounds almost offensive because, as a synonym for Turkish-speaking, it implies the questionable purity of the Pontians. For those who also grew up in EAM-affiliated families, "Bafralis" again has a negative connotation, the word being synonymous with collaborator of the Germans and pursuer of EAM.

As a consequence, the Bafralis are associated with something else: belief in the parties of nationalism and the Right. Ultimately, everyone agrees that "a Bafralis cannot be a leftist"! This work examines why Turkish-speaking Pontians identified post-war with Right-wing parties, even though in the interwar period their political identity was similar to that of other refugees: Venizelism.

It is noteworthy that in the harsh post-war years, the stronghold of nationalism in Macedonia became inhabited by people who did not speak Greek! This shift has its roots in the tragic experiences of the Occupation and the Civil War, experiences that created a strong political identity.

This book brings to light events that have been undervalued, such as the importance of ethnic identities in shaping conflicts in Macedonia from 1943-44 and the pivotal role of local elites. For the first time, it investigates the social basis, motives, and content of a form of collaboration with the occupying forces, as well as the extent of EAM's repressive violence.

The book approaches the issue of political identities from the perspective of political science, but combines methods, assumptions, and conclusions from the fields of history, sociology, social anthropology, and social psychology.