Transnational family networks in the Somali diaspora in Egypt: women's roles and differentiated experiences

Abstract

Diasporic Somalis are increasingly leading a transnational life in which family members are sustained through networks of relations, obligations and resources that are located in different nation-states. These networks and relations enable diasporic Somalis to seek safety for themselves and their relatives, minimize risks and maximize family resources. In this article, I examine three key dimensions of such a way of life, namely: migration; remittances; and transnational family care. I focus on the roles that women play in this family-based support system. For instance, women move and facilitate the movement of other family members; they remit to family members; and they provide care for children and sick relatives. But these transnational households are not free from tensions. Family members are placed in hierarchical relations shaped by age; parental authority; possession of western citizenship; financial resources; and bonds of familial reciprocity and gratitude. Women gain appreciation from relatives and a sense of self-respect for their new roles. Some of the women also make use of the family network to arrange for the care of their children and sick relatives, while they engage in transnational trading activities. However, young and single female relatives often sacrifice or delay their individual dreams because of their familial obligations. I conclude that transnationalism – as a way of organizing and sustaining livelihood, resources and relations of Somali families – is not always emancipating or marginalizing for Somali women. Rather the benefits and challenges of such a way of life for women are different, mixed and uneven.

Los somalíes en diáspora están liderando cada vez más una forma transnacional de vida en la que los miembros de la familia son sostenidos a través de una red de relaciones, obligaciones y recursos, localizados en diferentes naciones-estado. Estas redes y relaciones permiten a los somalíes en diáspora buscar seguridad para ellos y sus parientes, minimizar los riesgos y maximizar los recursos de la familia. En este artículo, estudio tres dimensiones claves de dicha forma de vida, a saber: migración; remesas; y el cuidado transnacional de la familia. Me centro en los roles que las mujeres juegan en este sistema de apoyo basado en la familia. Por ejemplo, las mujeres se mueven y facilitan el movimiento de otros miembros de la familia; envían remesas a los familiares; y proveen de cuidado a los chicos y los parientes enfermos. Pero estos hogares transnacionales no están libres de tensiones. Los miembros de la familia se ubican en relaciones jerárquicas determinadas por la edad; la autoridad parental; la posesión de ciudadanía occidental; los recursos financieros; y los lazos de reciprocidad y gratitud familiar. Las mujeres ganan el reconocimiento de los parientes y un sentido de respeto por ellas mismas por sus nuevos roles. Algunas de las mujeres también utilizan la red familiar para hacer arreglos para el cuidado de sus hijos y parientes enfermos, mientras ellas se ocupan de llevar a cabo actividades de comercio transnacional. Sin embargo, las parientes jóvenes y solteras a menudo sacrifican o retrasan sus sueños individuales debido a las obligaciones familiares. Concluyo que el transnacionalismo – como forma de organización y forma de mantener el sustento, los recursos y las relaciones de las familias somalíes – no es siempre emancipador o marginalizante para las mujeres somalíes. En cambio, los beneficios y desafíos de esta forma de vida para las mujeres son diferentes, variados y desiguales.

Keywords:

• diaspora
• transnationalism
• gender
• refugee families

Keywords:

• diáspora
• transnacionalismo
• género
• familias refugiadas

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Jennifer Hyndman and the anonymous reviewers for reading earlier drafts of this article and providing very helpful comments. My special thanks are also due to the Somali women in Egypt and elsewhere who agreed to take part in this study and generously shared their time and experiences with me.

Notes

 1. Personal interviews with: Ubah, November 2005, Cairo; Halima, January 2006, Cairo; and Ikram, May 2004, Cairo and July 2006, Portland, USA.

 2. Al-Azhar is the oldest institution for religious education in the Muslim world. Currently, it is a national university that offers degrees in different sciences, in addition to Islamic studies.

 3. Personal interview with Halima, January 2006, Cairo.

 4. Personal interview with Ikram, July 2006, Portland, USA.

 5. Personal interview with Ikram, February 2004, Cairo.

 6. Personal interview with Ikram, July 2006, Portland, USA. One interview was conducted during Ikram's visit to relatives in Portland and the second was conducted a month later over a phone call after her return to Minneapolis.

 7. Personal interviews with Faduma and Khadija's mother, 2002–04, Cairo; personal interviews with Faduma and Khadija, 2005–07, Cairo.

 8. Personal interview with Khadija, May 2005, Cairo.

 9. Personal interview with Khadija, May 2005, Cairo.

10. Personal interview with Faduma and Khadija's mother, July 2007, Portland, USA.

11. After ratifying the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, Egypt placed reservations on Articles 12 (1) (Personal Status), 20 (Rationing), 22 (1) Public Education, 23 (Public Relief) and 24 (Labor Legislation and Social Security). These reservations in effect means that refugees are unable to access basic needs that are essential for their livelihood in Egypt such as legal opportunities for labor and government-funded educational and health services.

12. Personal interview with Faduma, April 2007, Cairo.

13. When Faduma arrived from Saudi Arabia, she was wearing a loose dark garment (abaya) and a veil covering her hair, neck and bosom. A year later, she took off the abaya and started wearing skirts and shirts. Then she went back to wearing different kinds of stylish abayas, which she color-coordinated with her veils. Both styles of veiling which she adopted were popular among young women in Cairo.

14. Personal interview with Faduma, April 2007, Cairo.

15. Personal interview with Faduma, May 2007, Cairo.

16. Personal interview with Hodan, March 2005, Cairo.

17. Personal interview with Hawa, Hodan's aunt, March 2007, Cairo.

18. Personal interview with Hawa, December 2007.

19. The numbers of resettling refugees for 2007, 2008 and 2009 (projected) are 500, 750 and 700 respectively.