Abstract
This article addresses how Somali women from the Netherlands participate in digital diaspora formation. It specifically takes the lens of ‘diasporic mothering’ understood as a site where difference and belonging are negotiated through work of cultural reproduction, collective identity construction and stable homemaking. I first analytically distinguish between two generations of Somali women on the basis of their arrival trajectory and their socio-economic background at the time of their living in Somalia. Second, by foregrounding Somali women’s lived experiences, I show how their participation in diaspora formation is shaped by both mothering practices, and local and national Dutch policy approaches to migration. Last, I argue that the specificities of the local and national Dutch context favours rather physical and neighbourhood-based diaspora encounters, while de-centring the role of digital media in the initial formation of diaspora networks.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 39-55 |
Journal | Journal of Global Diaspora and Media |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2021 |
Keywords
- Amsterdam
- Somali women
- digital diaspora
- migration
- mothering
- the Netherlands