Vortrag im Rahmen des Ethnologischen Kolloquiums: ‘Stay connected’: Transnational ‘Root’ Migration and Homeland Pilgrimage (Armenian case), 16.05 um 18 Uhr, ESA West, R. 222

12. April 2017, von Frank Schätzlein

Am Dienstag, den 16.05 findet im Rahmen des Ethnologischen Kolloquiums ein Vortrag von Dr. Tsypylma Darieva (Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Asien- und Afrikawissenschaften) zum Thema ‘Stay connected’: Transnational ‘Root’ Migration and Homeland Pilgrimage (Armenian case).

Am Dienstag, den 16.05 findet im Rahmen des Ethnologischen Kolloquiums ein Vortrag von Dr. Tsypylma Darieva (Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Asien- und Afrikawissenschaften) zum Thema ‘Stay connected’: Transnational ‘Root’ Migration and Homeland Pilgrimage (Armenian case). ESA West, Raum 222 von 18 bis 20 Uhr. 

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Abstract

Homecomings, ‘return’ migration and practices of homeland tourism recently referred to a ‘silent migration’ (Stefansson 2004), have become increasingly significant as a form of transnational cross-border mobility. Providing an overview on variety of return migration and temporary homecomings, I analyse the rise of a new type ‘root’ migration, homeland-centered diasporic organizations among Armenian Americans and other groups. A new generation of diasporic organizations employ travel, philanthropy and volunteering in the ancestral homeland (Republic of Armenia) as a new mechanism to forge cultural and political connections between diaspora and homeland. Diasporic travellers do not see themselves as ‘simply tourists’; instead they are encouraged to think of themselves as ‘pioneers’ and ‘volunteers’ seeking out their historical roots and patriotic senses in a remote place. By recalling symbols of shared memory, and a sense of ‘being Armenian’ after three generations travelers represent a homeland trip as something more than just a heritage tour to the ancestral homeland. Instead it is a ‘journey to the future’, a rite passage with political implications. The study of homeland trips practices and imaginations among those who have lived beyond the border of their homelands for centuries raises intriguing questions on the political meaning of ‘homecoming’. Unpacking different pathways to the homeland and modes of engaging with the homeland among the second and later generation of diasporic Armenians is the aim of this lecture.