The displacement of people based on their ethnic identity in Cyprus has roots that predate British colonial rule, but was significantly exacerbated by events in the 1950s and 1970s.

The British administration's categorization of Cypriots as either Turkish/Muslim or Greek/Christian further reinforced these divisions.

The village of Agios Amvrosios was inhabited by Greek-speaking Cypriot communities until the 1974 invasion forced the population to relocate. Following this, approximately 450 Turkish-speaking Cypriots were resettled there, primarily from the village of Agios Nikolaos (also known as Ayguruş) in the Paphos district.
Agios Amvrosios, now known as Esentepe, is where I grew up and where most of my family still lives. The house I grew up in was given to my parents as temporary accommodation until a peace agreement could be reached. This agreement never materialized, and the house has become our home, though we don't legally "own" it.

In November 1983, following failed peace negotiations, the Turkish-speaking community formed an autonomous government called the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," with full economic and military support from Turkey. This entity remains recognized only by Turkey.

Subsequently, many Greek names of villages and towns underwent a process of Turkish renaming. Agios Amvrosios was renamed Esentepe (locals call it Ayguruş and meaning "Breezy Hill" in English) to facilitate Turkish assimilation. This process was accompanied by the conversion of churches to mosques and the migration of Turks from various regions of Turkey, including the former Pontus region, to the village.