The African diaspora has a historical connection to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and has faced political and social discrimination throughout its existence. As a result, individuals within this...Show moreThe African diaspora has a historical connection to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and has faced political and social discrimination throughout its existence. As a result, individuals within this diaspora have developed a transnational Black consciousness, wherein they confront their identity while grappling with the pressure to conform to Eurocentric norms regardless of territory. This complexity is further heightened by the experience of hybridity, as diaspora members navigate the challenges of adapting to new environments while striving to maintain their ancestral roots. The trauma endured by the diaspora has served as a wellspring of inspiration for expressing their narratives through various cultural mediums, including theatre, music, literature, and visual arts. The objective of this research is to shed light on the deep importance of visual art as a medium through which the African diaspora can express their experiences, question dominant narratives, and assert their autonomy, both within their local contexts and on a global scale. By examining the artworks of Rosana Paulino from Brazil and Arnaldo Roche Rabell from Puerto Rico through the lenses of postcolonialism and semiology, we can delve into the intricate dynamics of power, identity, and resilience that arise from the creative expressions of the African diaspora.Show less
This thesis is about cultural transformation through migration between the Turkish district of Emirdağ and the diaspora in Belgium. In this research, the poems from Emirdağ and the poems from the...Show moreThis thesis is about cultural transformation through migration between the Turkish district of Emirdağ and the diaspora in Belgium. In this research, the poems from Emirdağ and the poems from the diaspora were analyzed using the qualitative research method narrative analysis. In the analysis, the reflection of cultural transformation through migration in Emirdağ's poetry has been observed. The results provide an insight into the migration culture and the outcomes of socio-cultural and economic transnationalism.Show less
The interwar period saw the rise of the European metropolis as 'hubs' of transnational anti-colonialism. This thesis focuses on the city of Amsterdam as one of these hubs and adds a spatial...Show moreThe interwar period saw the rise of the European metropolis as 'hubs' of transnational anti-colonialism. This thesis focuses on the city of Amsterdam as one of these hubs and adds a spatial approach to the historiography of the European anti-colonial 'hub'. Researching anti-colonial internationalism from a spatial perspective gives new insights into the interconnectedness of internationalism and specific sites. Transnational organizations and actors who formulated and propagated ideas on anti-colonialism were always grounded in spatial contexts. The approach to space and spatiality in this thesis is inspired by the research project ‘Conferencing the International: A Cultural and Historical Geography of the Origins of Internationalism, 1919-39’, which ran between 2015-2020 and was funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). This project approached internationalism from a geographical perspective, studying how divergent forms of internationalisms manifested themselves in international conferences in the interwar period. Informed by both the research project, the book Placing Internationalism, and the project’s virtual exhibition, this thesis examines the relationship between transnational anti-colonialism and the spaces of anti-colonial activity in Amsterdam.Show less
In this interdisciplinary thesis, I use history and anthropology to research the influence of migration history on the identity construct of Hindostani people in the Netherlands. The work is...Show moreIn this interdisciplinary thesis, I use history and anthropology to research the influence of migration history on the identity construct of Hindostani people in the Netherlands. The work is anthropological because I created data by interviewing 23 participants about their lives and experiences, and historical because I used a framework of scholars who have researched the complex fields of identity, colonialism, migration, and transnational history or have specifically researched Hindostani people and their history. Combining these datasets, I present a case study that goes in depth to find out what the influence of colonial migration is on Hindostani people in a ‘postcolonial’ society such as the Netherlands. The conclusion is a careful but meaningful one, as it offers insights into both the people I interviewed and the society in which they live. This study shows that identity is so complex and personal that migration history has divergent meaning and effect on the lives of individual Hindostanis, so that even pointers such as age and gender cannot indicate the importance of that history to a Hindostani person. The only exception to this was religion, as religious participants ascribed more meaning to their migration history. Their history played a large part in the constructing of their identity and in the raising of their children. Lastly, I argue that both interdisciplinary and microhistory, even though small-scale, are key to historical research, especially of colonial history, by creating data and writing with the people who are the embodiment of that history.Show less
By carrying oral history analysis, this thesis looks at the political activism of Chilean women exiled in Spain from a gender perspective. It highlights the role of gender and stereotypes in women...Show moreBy carrying oral history analysis, this thesis looks at the political activism of Chilean women exiled in Spain from a gender perspective. It highlights the role of gender and stereotypes in women's experience towards their "exilic condition" before and upon arrival to Spain, as well as political activism within and outside the Chilean community during the Spanish transition and arrival of the Spanish Socialist Party to the government in the 1980s. The main findings are: 1) despite their political activism before and during the government of the socialist Salvador Allende and in some cases clandestinely after the 1973’s coup, most women highlight motherhood and the role of their more visible partners in politics as the breaking point in their decision to self-exile. However, by identifying with the social identity of “political exile” based on their activism, their political identity and gender roles from Chilean society cross each other showing a conflicting experience. 2) the gendered division of labour framed Chilean women participation among the Chilean community in Spain, being assigned so-called “female tasks” based on the gendered division of labour which many times kept them invisible from Chilean transnationalism in Spain. And 3) As a result, a group of women organized outside the traditional organics of the Chilean movement to advocate for human rights in Chile and Latin America incorporating the struggles and role of women in these regards. The two cases analyzed are the Chilean women’s association “Tralún” located in Madrid who advocated for human rights in Chile and Latin America from a feminist approach. Likewise, the case of the lawyer and Chilean Judge Alicia Herrera Rivera who became the face against gender violence in Spain in 1983 is analyzed. Herrera’s case shows how her involvement in the feminist movement imposed a “new exile” this time from the Chilean community as her advocacy for women’s rights was seen as a threat to the working-class unity in the Chilean Left.Show less
The European peace movement of the 1980s has by some been regarded as one large movement, while others see it as a collection of national movements with only the smallest connection between them....Show moreThe European peace movement of the 1980s has by some been regarded as one large movement, while others see it as a collection of national movements with only the smallest connection between them. In this thesis, the transnational contacts between three movements have been studied, to determine if these contacts can be classified as transfer, failed transfer or "everyday transnationalism".Show less
This thesis researches the sense of national identity of the Colombians living in Venezuela that in the current migration crisis are returning to their home country. The sense of national identity...Show moreThis thesis researches the sense of national identity of the Colombians living in Venezuela that in the current migration crisis are returning to their home country. The sense of national identity is examined along the motives for migration, transnationalism and integration.Show less
This research focuses on children of post-war Dutch migrants in Australia and their transnational ties to the Netherlands. The main question is how, why and when the transnational ties changed in...Show moreThis research focuses on children of post-war Dutch migrants in Australia and their transnational ties to the Netherlands. The main question is how, why and when the transnational ties changed in different political environments, such as the shift from assimilation to multicultural policy in Australia. The research starts at the migrants' childhood and ends in their later life.Show less
Since independence, Kazakhstan has promoted different conceptions of national identity: an “ethnic” discourse that promotes the titular Kazakh nation, a “civic discourse” that revolves around inter...Show moreSince independence, Kazakhstan has promoted different conceptions of national identity: an “ethnic” discourse that promotes the titular Kazakh nation, a “civic discourse” that revolves around inter-ethnic harmony, and a “transnational” discourse that is focused on international prestige. For long, scholars have debated which of these discourses has been dominant, or whether these discourses have been promoted simultaneously. This thesis contributes to the growing body of work on Kazkakhstan’s nationhood process by looking at the competing nation-building narratives that are presented through two sport projects: the Astana Pro cycling team, and the promotion of Kazakh national wrestling. The analysis has made clear that the wrestling and the cycling projects are each used to promote different elements of Kazakhstan’s national identity; while the wrestling emphasizes the ethnic conception of Kazakh identity, the Astana Team is more focused on gaining international prestige. At the same, time, the narratives and symbolism used in the two projects are often ambiguous and sometimes even contradictory. Thus, this thesis has shown that competing nation-building narratives are promoted simultaneously and as such, it has highlighted the complex and hybrid nature of Kazakhstan’s nation-building process.Show less
After the death of a local fish seller in November 2016, the Rif area in Morocco has witnessed the proliferation of a social movement, using Berber (Amazigh) ethno-political discourse to demand...Show moreAfter the death of a local fish seller in November 2016, the Rif area in Morocco has witnessed the proliferation of a social movement, using Berber (Amazigh) ethno-political discourse to demand social justice and socio-economic improvement for the Riffian people. As a result of that, Riffian (second generation) migrants in the Netherlands have mobilised and organised themselves in action committees, to express their solidarity with the social movement in their home country. This research explores how their mobilisation, collective action framing and organisation relate to their elaborate use of new/social media. Facebook has provided Riffians a platform to articulate a shared Amazigh identity, as well as to share their personal commitment to the social movement in the Rif. This has led to mobilisation beyond preexisting (Amazigh) migrant organisations. At the same time, de-centralised and nonhierarchal organisational structures remain important for the co-ordination of transnational political activism, especially in the case of transnational collective action.Show less
The thesis argues that Buen Vivir (good living) proves to be a viable new form of environmental governance in Ecuador, which has undergone a significant process of norms socialization and shaped...Show moreThe thesis argues that Buen Vivir (good living) proves to be a viable new form of environmental governance in Ecuador, which has undergone a significant process of norms socialization and shaped environmental governance on a national and global level. The thesis brings together discusses on development, sustainable development and on environmental governance, as well as works that have looked at the topic of Buen Vivir. Methodologically, a constructivist transnational approach has been taken, which enables the view at environmental governance across spatial and institutional borders. Theoretically, it draws on concepts of transnational networks, including epistemic communities and advocacy networks, to explain the transfer of ideas. In addition to these concepts, the theoretical model of norm socialization from Risse and Sikkink is applied. After giving a historical background, which highlights the emergence of indigenous movements during the neoliberal 1980s and 1990s, the second chapter shows how the environmental values of these local movements became embedded in national policy under the concept of Buen Vivir, which can be seen in Ecuador’s constitution from 2008 and its National Development Plan. Chapter 3 is a detailed investigation of the transnational networks involved in the Ecuadorian Yasuni-ITT initiative, which set the start for a norm socialization process of Ecuadorian environmental governance from a national to a global level.Show less
It is exactly 100 years ago (1911) that hundreds of Chinese migrants set foot in the Netherlands. They were seamen employed by Dutch shipping companies and came originally from Guangdong province...Show moreIt is exactly 100 years ago (1911) that hundreds of Chinese migrants set foot in the Netherlands. They were seamen employed by Dutch shipping companies and came originally from Guangdong province in China. The Chinese community has now grown into a highly diverse community of 100,000 people. It is highly diverse in terms of their place of birth, socio-economic status and immigration history. Among the Chinese immigrants originating from the New Territories in Hong Kong who re-migrated from Britain to the Netherlands in the 1950s, there was a significant lineage, i.e. the Man lineage. Currently, this lineage in the Netherlands is made up of approximately 2000 – 2500 members and in Britain over 4000 members who share the same surname ‘Man’. This thesis has sought to find out what were the causes of migration that contributed to the exodus of the Man lineage to Europe from two particular villages – namely San Tin and Chau Tau – in the New Territories in Hong Kong. The thesis has conducted a comprehensive analysis that consists of a three-level examination, namely that of the macro, meso and micro levels. As a matter of fact, the rationale behind such decisions demonstrates the interaction between structure and agency, culminating in chain migration. In other words, factors such as colonialism, the economic situation, national immigration policies and established social networks all played a role in the decision-making process, making transnational migration possible. It has also demonstrated that family structure has a strong correlation with the pattern of migration. This thesis has also identified certain major changes in relation to the Man lineage in Europe as a result of migration. First of all, there has been an upward social mobility. Second, there has been a conversion in consciousness, notably, from a diasporic consciousness to a transcultural consciousness. Finally, there has been a change in social relationship among the second and the third generation Man lineage members since, according to the survey, they do not have close ties with their their agnates established in Europe and in the New Territories or the villages of their ancestors.Show less
