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Forced Migration, Memory, and Testimony

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Migration and Stereotypes in Performance and Culture

Part of the book series: Contemporary Performance InterActions ((CPI))

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Abstract

As an Ethiopian - Somali living in Canada and a mother of four, Bokore has seen firsthand the effects war trauma has had on communities and its long-term consequences, which often last for generations. She also acknowledges the differences within her own community regarding responses to trauma, memories, and the current presentation of Somali history. In this research, Bokore focuses on women, especially mothers, who were survivors of wars and the sole supporters of their families. There are multiple reasons for choosing this group including how war affects women and girls more than men, and their vulnerability during resettlement while adjusting to a new economic and social environment. This chapter is based on a project exploring the life histories of twelve Somali women born in five different regions at the Horn of Africa within a framework of community healing, integration, and development.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This time frame coincides with mass Somali population displacement due to the 1977–78 Ethiopian Somali War, the Somali government’s attack on the Somaliland people, and the subsequent collapse of the Somali central government.

  2. 2.

    These are the two major Canadian cities that hosted Somali refugees at the time of their initial arrival.

  3. 3.

    Somalis have a passion for storytelling and poetry. They have been called a “Nation of Bards” by early explorers, researchers, and novelists, such as the Canadian novelist Margaret Laurence.

  4. 4.

    Somalis adhere to a tribal hierarchy and discriminate against other tribes. This means that about half the population in my home region is identified as Gaboya, which is similar to the Untouchable caste in India.

  5. 5.

    All names used are pseudonyms.

  6. 6.

    Hoodo is referring to family members on her mother’s side.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Nimo Bokore

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  1. Nimo Bokore
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Correspondence to Nimo Bokore .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Theatre, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Yana Meerzon

  2. Department of History, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    David Dean

  3. Department of History, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Daniel McNeil

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Bokore, N. (2020). Forced Migration, Memory, and Testimony. In: Meerzon, Y., Dean, D., McNeil, D. (eds) Migration and Stereotypes in Performance and Culture. Contemporary Performance InterActions. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39915-3_11

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