Difference between revisions of "Diaspora" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | The term '''diaspora''' (in [[Ancient Greek]], '''διασπορά''' – "''a scattering or sowing of seeds''") refers to any people or [[ethnicity|ethnic]] population who are forced or induced to leave their traditional [[homeland]]s, the dispersal of such people, and the ensuing developments in their culture. | + | |
| + | The term '''diaspora''' (in [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greek]], '''διασπορά''' – "''a scattering or sowing of seeds''") refers to any people or [[ethnicity|ethnic]] population who are forced or induced to leave their traditional [[homeland]]s, the dispersal of such people, and the ensuing developments in their culture. | ||
==Origins== | ==Origins== | ||
| − | Initially the term ''diaspora'' meant "the scattered" and was used by the Ancient Greeks to refer to citizens of a dominant city-state who emigrated to a conquered land with the purpose of colonization, to assimilate the territory into the empire. The current meaning started to develop from this original sense when the [[Old Testament]] was translated into Greek, the word "diaspora" there being used to refer to the population of [[Jew]]s exiled from [[Judea]] in 586 | + | Initially the term ''diaspora'' meant "the scattered" and was used by the Ancient Greeks to refer to citizens of a dominant city-state who emigrated to a conquered land with the purpose of colonization, to assimilate the territory into the empire. The current meaning started to develop from this original sense when the [[Old Testament]] was translated into Greek, the word "diaspora" there being used to refer to the population of [[Jew]]s exiled from [[Judea]] in 586 B.C.E. by the [[Babylonian]]s, and from [[Jerusalem]] in 136 C.E. by the [[Roman Empire]]. Probably the earliest use of the word in reference specifically to Jewish exiles is in the [[Septuagint]] version of [[Deuteronomy]] 28:25, "thou shalt be a ''dispersion'' in all kingdoms of the earth." |
<p>It subsequently came to be used to refer interchangeably to the historical movements of the dispersed ethnic population of [[Israel]], the cultural development of that population, or the population itself. The term was assimilated from Greek into [[English language|English]] in the mid 20th century, and an academic field of [[diaspora studies]] has been established relating to the wider modern meaning of 'diaspora'. | <p>It subsequently came to be used to refer interchangeably to the historical movements of the dispersed ethnic population of [[Israel]], the cultural development of that population, or the population itself. The term was assimilated from Greek into [[English language|English]] in the mid 20th century, and an academic field of [[diaspora studies]] has been established relating to the wider modern meaning of 'diaspora'. | ||
<p>Sometimes [[refugee]]s of other origins or ethnicities may be may be called a diaspora, but the two terms are far from synonymous. | <p>Sometimes [[refugee]]s of other origins or ethnicities may be may be called a diaspora, but the two terms are far from synonymous. | ||
| − | <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4203360.stm Katrina scatters a grim diaspora] BBC</ref> | + | <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4203360.stm Katrina scatters a grim diaspora] by Will Walden. BBC</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://www.lrb.co.uk/v25/n06/gils01_.html Out of the Hadhramaut]</ref> | + | <ref>[http://www.lrb.co.uk/v25/n06/gils01_.html Out of the Hadhramaut] by Michael Gilsenan</ref> |
Long term [[expatriates]] in significant numbers from one particular country may also be referred to as a diaspora. | Long term [[expatriates]] in significant numbers from one particular country may also be referred to as a diaspora. | ||
| − | <ref>[http://www.worldbusinesslive.com/research/article/648273/the-worlds-successful-diasporas/ The world's successful diasporas - Research - World Business | + | <ref>[http://www.worldbusinesslive.com/research/article/648273/the-worlds-successful-diasporas/ The world's successful diasporas - Research] - World Business</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/WBI/WBIPROGRAMS/KFDLP/0,,contentMDK:20692386~pagePK:64156158~piPK:64152884~theSitePK:461198,00.html Diasporas of Highly Skilled and Migration of Talent]</ref> | + | <ref>[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/WBI/WBIPROGRAMS/KFDLP/0,,contentMDK:20692386~pagePK:64156158~piPK:64152884~theSitePK:461198,00.html Diasporas of Highly Skilled and Migration of Talent] by Michael Gilsenan</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://www.telugudiaspora.com Telugu Diaspora | + | <ref>[http://www.telugudiaspora.com People of Telugu Origin] - Telugu Diaspora</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200505/the.arabs.of.brazil.htm The Arabs of Brazil]</ref> | + | <ref>[http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200505/the.arabs.of.brazil.htm The Arabs of Brazil] - Saudi Aramco World</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://leb.net/~aljadid/features/ArabsMakingTheirMarkinLatinAmerica.html Arabs Making Their Mark in Latin America]</ref> | + | <ref>[http://leb.net/~aljadid/features/ArabsMakingTheirMarkinLatinAmerica.html Arabs Making Their Mark in Latin America] by Habeeb Salloum. Aljadid.</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://global-culture.org/blog/category/diasporas/ | + | <ref>[http://global-culture.org/blog/category/diasporas/ essays on migration, globalization and their impact on global culture] - Global Culture</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://www.tamilnation.org/diaspora The Tamil Diaspora - a Trans State Nation] Nadesan Satyendra</ref> | + | <ref>[http://www.tamilnation.org/diaspora The Tamil Diaspora - a Trans State Nation] by Nadesan Satyendra</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://diplomacymonitor.com/stu/dm.nsf/issued?openform&cat=Migration Diplomacy Monitor | + | <ref>[http://diplomacymonitor.com/stu/dm.nsf/issued?openform&cat=Migration Migration] - Diplomacy Monitor</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/immig_emig/england/cornwall/article_1.shtml | + | <ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/immig_emig/england/cornwall/article_1.shtml The Cornish Diaspora - I’m alright Jack] - BBC</ref> |
| − | <ref>[http://www.projects.ex.ac.uk/cornishcom/transnationalism.htm The Cornish Transnational Communities Project]</ref> | + | <ref>[http://www.projects.ex.ac.uk/cornishcom/transnationalism.htm The Cornish Transnational Communities Project] - University of Exeter</ref> |
In all cases, the term '''diaspora''' carries a sense of ''displacement''; that is, the population so described find themselves for whatever reason separated from their national territory; and usually they have a hope, or at least a desire, to return to their homeland at some point, if the "homeland" still exists in any meaningful sense. | In all cases, the term '''diaspora''' carries a sense of ''displacement''; that is, the population so described find themselves for whatever reason separated from their national territory; and usually they have a hope, or at least a desire, to return to their homeland at some point, if the "homeland" still exists in any meaningful sense. | ||
<p> | <p> | ||
| − | History contains numerous diaspora-like events. The [[Migration Period]] relocations, which included several phases, are just one set of many. The first phase Migration Period displacement from between | + | History contains numerous diaspora-like events. The [[Migration Period]] relocations, which included several phases, are just one set of many. The first phase Migration Period displacement from between 300 C.E. and 500 C.E. included relocation of the [[Goths]], ([[Ostrogoths]], [[Visigoths]]), [[Vandals]], [[Franks]], various other [[Germanic tribes]], ([[Burgundians]], [[Langobards]], [[Angles]], [[Saxons]], [[Jutes]], [[Suebi]], [[Alemanni]], [[Varangian]]s), [[Alans]] and numerous [[Slavic peoples|Slavic tribes]]. The second phase, between 500 C.E. and 900 C.E., saw Slavic, [[Turkic people|Turkic]], and other tribes on the move, re-settling in [[Eastern Europe]] and gradually making it predominantly Slavic, and affecting [[Anatolia]] and the [[Caucasus]] as the first Turkic peoples ([[Eurasian Avars|Avars]], [[Bulgars]], [[Huns]], [[Khazars]], [[Pechenegs]]) arrived. The last phase of the migrations saw the coming of the [[Magyars]] and the [[Vikings|Viking]] expansion out of [[Scandinavia]]. |
| − | <p>However, such colonizing migrations cannot be considered as | + | <p>However, such colonizing migrations cannot be considered as Diasporas indefinitely; over very long periods, eventually the migrants assimilate into the settled area so completely that it becomes their new homeland. Thus the modern population of [[Germany]] do not feel that they really belong in the Siberian steppes that the Alemanni left 16 centuries ago, the [[Hungarian Magyars]] are not drawn back to the [[Altai]], and the English descendants of the Angles, Saxons and Jutes do not yearn to reoccupy the plains of northwest [[Germany]]. Compare, nevertheless, the Jewish Sephardim of Iberia and Ashkenazim of [[Eastern Europe]], settled in those areas for many centuries, and yet never allowed to fully assimilate there. |
==The 20th century and beyond== | ==The 20th century and beyond== | ||
| − | The twentieth century saw huge population movements. Some of these were due to [[natural disasters]], as has happened throughout history, but some involved large-scale transfers of people by government action. Some | + | The twentieth century saw huge population movements. Some of these were due to [[natural disasters]], as has happened throughout history, but some involved large-scale transfers of people by government action. Some Diasporas occurred because the people accepted, or could not avoid, the consequences of political decisions (such as [[Stalin]]'s desire to populate Eastern [[Russia]], [[Central Asia]], and [[Siberia]]; or the transfer of millions of people between [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] in the [[Partition of India|1947 Partition]]). Other Diasporas have occurred as people fled ethnically directed persecution or oppression: for example, European [[Jews]] fleeing [[the Holocaust]] during [[World War II]]; other European nationalities moving west away from [[Soviet|Soviet Union]] [[annexation]] |
| − | <ref>http://www.kirmus.ee/baltic_archives_abroad_2006/participants.html</ref>, and the [[Iron Curtain]] regimes after World War II; and the [[Hutu]] and [[Tutsi]] trying to escape the [[Rwandan Genocide]] in 1994. | + | <ref>[http://www.kirmus.ee/baltic_archives_abroad_2006/participants.html International Conference on the Baltic Archives Abroad] - June 27 - July 1, 2006</ref>, and the [[Iron Curtain]] regimes after World War II; and the [[Hutu]] and [[Tutsi]] trying to escape the [[Rwandan Genocide]] in 1994. |
<p> | <p> | ||
| − | During the [[Cold War]] era huge populations of refugees formed out of areas of conflict, especially from [[Third World]] nations; all over [[Africa]] (e.g., and 1.5 millions | + | During the [[Cold War]] era huge populations of refugees formed out of areas of conflict, especially from [[Third World]] nations; all over [[Africa]] (e.g., and 1.5 millions [[Armenia]]ns forced out of Armenia by the Turks. Forced to march in the Syrian [[dessert]] where a lot of them ended up settling, over 80,000 [[South Asians]] expelled from [[Uganda]] by [[Idi Amin]] in 1975), [[South America]] (e.g., thousands of [[Uruguay]]an refugees fled to [[Europe]] during the [[military junta|military rule]] in the 1970s and 80's) and [[Central America]] (e.g., [[Nicaraguan Diaspora|Nicaraguans]], [[El Salvador|Salvadorians]], [[Guatemala]]ns, [[Honduras|Hondurans]], [[Costa Rica]]ns and [[Panama]]nians), the [[Middle East]] (the [[Iranian people|Iranians]] who fled the 1978 Islamic revolution), the [[Indian subcontinent]] (thousands of former subjects of the [[British Raj]] went to the [[UK]] after [[India]] and [[Pakistan]] became independent in 1947), and [[Southeast Asia]] (e.g., the displaced 30,000 [[French people|French]] ''colons'' from [[Cambodia]] expelled by the [[Khmer Rouge]] regime under [[Pol Pot]]). The millions of [[Third World]] refugees created more diaspora populations than ever before. |
<p> | <p> | ||
| − | Many [[economic migrants]] may gather in such numbers outside their home country that they form an effective diaspora: for instance, the Turkish ''[[Gastarbeiter]]'' in Germany; South Asians in the Persian Gulf; and Filipinos throughout the world. And in a rare example of a diaspora in a prosperous Western democracy, there is talk of a [[New Orleans]], or [[Gulf Coast]], "diaspora" in the wake of [[Hurricane Katrina]] of | + | Many [[economic migrants]] may gather in such numbers outside their home country that they form an effective diaspora: for instance, the Turkish ''[[Gastarbeiter]]'' in Germany; South Asians in the Persian Gulf; and Filipinos throughout the world. And in a rare example of a diaspora in a prosperous Western democracy, there is talk of a [[New Orleans]], or [[Gulf Coast]], "diaspora" in the wake of [[Hurricane Katrina]] of 2005, if a significant number of evacuees do not start to return. |
==List of notable diasporas== | ==List of notable diasporas== | ||
{{main|List of diasporas}} | {{main|List of diasporas}} | ||
| − | History provides us with many examples of notable | + | History provides us with many examples of notable Diasporas. |
==In popular culture== | ==In popular culture== | ||
| Line 51: | Line 52: | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| + | All links retrieved October 9, 2007. | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Philosophy and religion]] |
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Religion]] |
| − | |||
{{credits|Diaspora|162391113}} | {{credits|Diaspora|162391113}} | ||
Revision as of 20:52, 9 October 2007
The term diaspora (in Ancient Greek, διασπορά – "a scattering or sowing of seeds") refers to any people or ethnic population who are forced or induced to leave their traditional homelands, the dispersal of such people, and the ensuing developments in their culture.
Origins
Initially the term diaspora meant "the scattered" and was used by the Ancient Greeks to refer to citizens of a dominant city-state who emigrated to a conquered land with the purpose of colonization, to assimilate the territory into the empire. The current meaning started to develop from this original sense when the Old Testament was translated into Greek, the word "diaspora" there being used to refer to the population of Jews exiled from Judea in 586 B.C.E. by the Babylonians, and from Jerusalem in 136 C.E. by the Roman Empire. Probably the earliest use of the word in reference specifically to Jewish exiles is in the Septuagint version of Deuteronomy 28:25, "thou shalt be a dispersion in all kingdoms of the earth."
It subsequently came to be used to refer interchangeably to the historical movements of the dispersed ethnic population of Israel, the cultural development of that population, or the population itself. The term was assimilated from Greek into English in the mid 20th century, and an academic field of diaspora studies has been established relating to the wider modern meaning of 'diaspora'.
Sometimes refugees of other origins or ethnicities may be may be called a diaspora, but the two terms are far from synonymous. [1] [2] Long term expatriates in significant numbers from one particular country may also be referred to as a diaspora. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] In all cases, the term diaspora carries a sense of displacement; that is, the population so described find themselves for whatever reason separated from their national territory; and usually they have a hope, or at least a desire, to return to their homeland at some point, if the "homeland" still exists in any meaningful sense.
History contains numerous diaspora-like events. The Migration Period relocations, which included several phases, are just one set of many. The first phase Migration Period displacement from between 300 C.E. and 500 C.E. included relocation of the Goths, (Ostrogoths, Visigoths), Vandals, Franks, various other Germanic tribes, (Burgundians, Langobards, Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Suebi, Alemanni, Varangians), Alans and numerous Slavic tribes. The second phase, between 500 C.E. and 900 C.E., saw Slavic, Turkic, and other tribes on the move, re-settling in Eastern Europe and gradually making it predominantly Slavic, and affecting Anatolia and the Caucasus as the first Turkic peoples (Avars, Bulgars, Huns, Khazars, Pechenegs) arrived. The last phase of the migrations saw the coming of the Magyars and the Viking expansion out of Scandinavia.
However, such colonizing migrations cannot be considered as Diasporas indefinitely; over very long periods, eventually the migrants assimilate into the settled area so completely that it becomes their new homeland. Thus the modern population of Germany do not feel that they really belong in the Siberian steppes that the Alemanni left 16 centuries ago, the Hungarian Magyars are not drawn back to the Altai, and the English descendants of the Angles, Saxons and Jutes do not yearn to reoccupy the plains of northwest Germany. Compare, nevertheless, the Jewish Sephardim of Iberia and Ashkenazim of Eastern Europe, settled in those areas for many centuries, and yet never allowed to fully assimilate there.
The 20th century and beyond
The twentieth century saw huge population movements. Some of these were due to natural disasters, as has happened throughout history, but some involved large-scale transfers of people by government action. Some Diasporas occurred because the people accepted, or could not avoid, the consequences of political decisions (such as Stalin's desire to populate Eastern Russia, Central Asia, and Siberia; or the transfer of millions of people between India and Pakistan in the 1947 Partition). Other Diasporas have occurred as people fled ethnically directed persecution or oppression: for example, European Jews fleeing the Holocaust during World War II; other European nationalities moving west away from Soviet Union annexation [13], and the Iron Curtain regimes after World War II; and the Hutu and Tutsi trying to escape the Rwandan Genocide in 1994.
During the Cold War era huge populations of refugees formed out of areas of conflict, especially from Third World nations; all over Africa (e.g., and 1.5 millions Armenians forced out of Armenia by the Turks. Forced to march in the Syrian dessert where a lot of them ended up settling, over 80,000 South Asians expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin in 1975), South America (e.g., thousands of Uruguayan refugees fled to Europe during the military rule in the 1970s and 80's) and Central America (e.g., Nicaraguans, Salvadorians, Guatemalans, Hondurans, Costa Ricans and Panamanians), the Middle East (the Iranians who fled the 1978 Islamic revolution), the Indian subcontinent (thousands of former subjects of the British Raj went to the UK after India and Pakistan became independent in 1947), and Southeast Asia (e.g., the displaced 30,000 French colons from Cambodia expelled by the Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot). The millions of Third World refugees created more diaspora populations than ever before.
Many economic migrants may gather in such numbers outside their home country that they form an effective diaspora: for instance, the Turkish Gastarbeiter in Germany; South Asians in the Persian Gulf; and Filipinos throughout the world. And in a rare example of a diaspora in a prosperous Western democracy, there is talk of a New Orleans, or Gulf Coast, "diaspora" in the wake of Hurricane Katrina of 2005, if a significant number of evacuees do not start to return.
List of notable diasporas
History provides us with many examples of notable Diasporas.
In popular culture
- Futuristic science fiction sometimes refers to a "Diaspora," taking place when much of humanity leaves Earth to settle on far-flung "colony worlds."
See also
- Diaspora studies
- Diaspora politics
- Exodus is another Biblical term related to migration, but with a connotation of grouping rather than the scattering of a diaspora.
- Displaced person
- Ethnic cleansing
- Population transfer
- Slave trade
- Immigration
- Refugee
Notes
All links retrieved October 9, 2007.
- ↑ Katrina scatters a grim diaspora by Will Walden. BBC
- ↑ Out of the Hadhramaut by Michael Gilsenan
- ↑ The world's successful diasporas - Research - World Business
- ↑ Diasporas of Highly Skilled and Migration of Talent by Michael Gilsenan
- ↑ People of Telugu Origin - Telugu Diaspora
- ↑ The Arabs of Brazil - Saudi Aramco World
- ↑ Arabs Making Their Mark in Latin America by Habeeb Salloum. Aljadid.
- ↑ essays on migration, globalization and their impact on global culture - Global Culture
- ↑ The Tamil Diaspora - a Trans State Nation by Nadesan Satyendra
- ↑ Migration - Diplomacy Monitor
- ↑ The Cornish Diaspora - I’m alright Jack - BBC
- ↑ The Cornish Transnational Communities Project - University of Exeter
- ↑ International Conference on the Baltic Archives Abroad - June 27 - July 1, 2006
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