Universität zu Köln

Jacobs, Carola (2019). Practicing belonging and navigating uncertainties: the case of Congolese diasporans in South Africa. Masters thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

This thesis provides insight into south-south mobility within Africa, thus confronting atlanticized research lenses that focus on south-north movements. The case of Congolese diasporans in South Africa iCars in the center of attention. The thesis reflects a generation- and space-sensitive approach. The diaspora concept, belonging, and empowerment are examined. Ethnographic fieldwork for this thesis was carried out in 2018 for a period of three months both in Johannesburg as well as in Cape Town. Volunteering and the notion of apprenticeship constituted the ethical backbone of that fieldwork, which aimed at a reciprocal relationship of give-and-take between participants and the researcher. Triangulation of interactive methods combined with volunteering facilitated deep immersion into the research context. Results allowed for modifications of the concepts of diaspora, belonging, and empowerment. The thesis interlinks categories of belonging with uncertainty via continua of belonging. Uncertainty was closely linked to the prevalent danger of afrophobia in South Africa. Coping mechanisms and the empowering nature of Pan-Africanism among young generations set a positive, courageous tone for future developments.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters thesis)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Jacobs, Carola UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-117850
Series Name at the University of Cologne:	Kölner ethnologische Beiträge
Volume:	53
Date:	2019
Place of Publication:	Köln
ISSN:	1611-4531
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Fächergruppe 4: Außereuropäische Sprachen, Kulturen und Gesellschaften > Institut für Ethnologie
Subjects:	Customs, etiquette, folklore
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language South Africa, Immigrants, Diaspora, MA thesis English Südafrika, Immigranten, Diaspora, Masterarbeit UNSPECIFIED
Date of oral exam:	2019
Referee:	Name Academic Title Pelican, Michaela Prof. Dr.
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/11785