If You Want to Be a Success in the Diaspora, Follow These Five Steps.

Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash

Thanks to the Somali state collapse in January 1991, Somalis have become one of the most prominent African diaspora communities in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. As a term, “diaspora” carries historical and religious connotations, originally referring to the exiled Jewish community during the Roman Empire. However, the term has evolved to encompass those living in countries other than their own due to factors such as immigration, political exile, or religious persecution.

While I want to keep the term “diaspora” as an umbrella concept, I prefer to use “transnationalism” as a framework, as defined by diasporic scholars Rainer Baubock and Thomas Faist in their book “Diaspora and Transnationalism: Concepts, Theories and Methods.”

This transnationalism describes communities outside their countries that maintain strong connections through economic and political participation. Somalis in the diaspora fit this transnational definition, as they retain close ties with Somalia through economic investments, remittances, political engagement, and diaspora-based political campaigns.

Somalis began migrating in significant numbers approximately a generation ago, following the collapse of the Somali state 32 years ago. Sociologists typically define a generation as 20 to 30 years, which means that the children born to immigrant parents soon after their arrival in the diaspora are now parents themselves. In another 20 years, they will represent the second generation of diaspora-born Somalis.

Returning to the title of this piece, I will now explain the five steps and how one can follow them. These steps are the result of my 12 years of academic research into the education, identity, families and experiences of Somalis in the diaspora, focusing mainly on those hosted in North America and Europe, particularly the US and UK.

Somalis in the diaspora collectively face numerous challenges, including language and cultural barriers, discrimination, economic marginalisation, and high unemployment rates. Individuals must possess education, cultural and linguistic proficiency, and financial security to overcome these challenges.

Almost all Somalis in the diaspora are transnational, connected to Somalia and their relatives there, so they struggle to meet these challenges. Nevertheless, my research reveals that a small but successful segment of the Somali diaspora seems to follow some or all of the steps I am about to suggest.

Here are the five steps:

1. Never compromise your Islamic faith: This step serves as the foundation for the rest. When living in a country where religion may not hold the same everyday relevance, it can be tempting to neglect your Islamic faith. However, it is crucial never to compromise your faith at any cost.
2. Gain proficiency in the language of your host country: Learning the language spoken in your host country is essential for education, employment, and cultural awareness. Be proficient in the language of your host country.
3. Attain higher education, preferably an advanced degree: Without education, your life in the diaspora will always be at the mercy of others. Your employment opportunities and social position will be severely limited without a solid educational foundation.
4. Integrate with the host country while maintaining cultural roots: Integration with the host country is crucial for diaspora success. However, this does not mean abandoning your culture and replacing your roots. You must remain fully functional within your own culture while integrating with the culture of your host country.
5. Work towards financial security: This step is significant to your overall success. Those who secure their financial future and that of their families tend to succeed in the diaspora. This can be achieved through entrepreneurship, investments, or other means. Financial security is a step that can guarantee success.

By following these five steps, you can navigate the challenges the Somali diaspora faces and increase your chances of success. While the number of successful Somalis in the diaspora remains relatively small compared to other communities, my research indicates that those who follow these steps tend to thrive.