Mapping the Somali Diaspora
October 13, 2011 at 9:05 AM
Mapping the Somali Diaspora
Recently GSI completed a tribal geographic database of Somalia. This database provides in-depth tribal data in a geographic format identifying approximate locations for specific families as well as their tribal hierarchies. Because colloquially all tribal hierarchical levels in Somalia can be referred to as clans, GSI used Somali words instead to better distinguish between the tiers. Mapping the human geography of Somalia only begins with the residents of the territorial limits of the country.
The diaspora has become the beating heart of Somali nationality since the dissolution of the national government. Estimates place the percent of the Somali population living outside of Somalia at 14%. A recent United Nations Development Program (UNDP) study reports that remittances and other forms of assistance from the diaspora have sustained those remaining in Somalia since the collapse of the state.
While there are many notable instances of the Somali diaspora aggregating money and influence to aid the well being of Somalis resident in Somalia and the refugee camps in neighboring countries, there is also evidence that the diaspora contributes to the violence in Somalia by fostering continuing clan and tribal disputes. Clearly the diaspora plays a significant role in developments in the country and events beyond its borders. Mapping the locations and distributions of Somali clan affiliations in the disapora would provide insight into the dynamics of events within the territory of Somalia.
Somali_Diaspora.pdf
Tags: Somalia, Diaspora, Human Geography
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Comments:
Posted by
Kelenna
on
Jan 15th, 2012
Your awsner lifts the intelligence of the debate.
Posted by
Nelly
on
Jan 16th, 2012
This is an airclte that makes you think "never thought of that!"
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