Memory objects': Material objects and memories of home in the context of intra-African mobility
This article contributes to the intersection of material culture and mobility studies by exploring the role of objects in fostering nostalgia and emotionally linking migrants with their home world. Memory objects' are conceptualized as special personal belongings that elicit deliberate or invo...
| Autore principale: | |
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| Tipo di documento: | Elettronico Articolo |
| Lingua: | Inglese |
| Verificare la disponibilità: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Pubblicazione: |
[2019]
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| In: |
Journal of material culture
Anno: 2019, Volume: 24, Fascicolo: 3, Pagine: 253-269 |
| Notazioni IxTheo: | KBN Africa subsahariana ZB Sociologia |
| Altre parole chiave: | B
Memory
B Africa B Mobility B Objects B Migrazione B Home |
| Accesso online: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) |
| Riepilogo: | This article contributes to the intersection of material culture and mobility studies by exploring the role of objects in fostering nostalgia and emotionally linking migrants with their home world. Memory objects' are conceptualized as special personal belongings that elicit deliberate or involuntary memories of homeland, home culture, social relations and episodes in one's pre-migration past. Focusing on intra-African migration, the study is based on in-depth interviews with a sample of 40 migrants from 13 African countries, temporarily or permanently based in South Africa. Contrary to the extant literature, initial findings indicate most participants did not value keepsakes or sentimental mementoes of home. However, it emerged that some had developed a special relationship with specific utilitarian objects, mostly received as gifts, which essentially turned into memory objects over time, precipitating memories and emotional attachment through routine usage and performative action. It is argued that more attention must be paid to socio-cultural values and other locally specific factors. |
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| ISSN: | 1460-3586 |
| Comprende: | Enthalten in: Journal of material culture
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/1359183519832630 |
