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Somali Refugees in America

Community Gardens as Spaces of Refuge

Anadil Iftekhar

This study looks at the acculturation and social capital of twenty Somali refugee women participating in a community garden in a small town in Minnesota. The women had all been refugees at some point, even if they did not enter the US as a refugee. Using phenomenological interviews to gather the data, the author draws on Berry’s framework and juxtaposes it against two other models of acculturation. Doing so allows the exploration of the pros and cons of each model and then offer suggestions for more holistic approaches to understanding and measuring acculturation. There are many aspects of life in the U.S. that were new to the Somali women such as driving, adult education, employment opportunities, and maintaining culture. Through many support systems, and efforts at keeping Somali culture intact through food and religion, along with the language barrier, the women adjusted to life in America. Participation at the community garden was an important part of their daily routine (even if only during the short growing season), giving the women agency, independence and the ability to create something and be on their own. In essence, the garden functioned as a mini-Somalia for them, providing not only a means of acculturation and accumulation of social capital, but a place of bonding.

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Lexington Books
Pages: 124 • Trim: 6 x 9
978-1-66696-355-7 • Hardback • March 2025 • $95.00 • (£73.00)
Subjects: Social Science / Emigration & Immigration, Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural, Social Science / Ethnic Studies / General

Anadil Iftekhar received her PhD from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in December.

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1: Somali Life in America

Chapter 2: Putting the Community in the Garden

Chapter 3: To Become American or Not?

Conclusion: How to Talk about the Displaced

Appendix: Questionnaire for the Interviews

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

Somali Refugees in America

Community Gardens as Spaces of Refuge

Cover Image
Hardback
Summary
Summary
  • This study looks at the acculturation and social capital of twenty Somali refugee women participating in a community garden in a small town in Minnesota. The women had all been refugees at some point, even if they did not enter the US as a refugee. Using phenomenological interviews to gather the data, the author draws on Berry’s framework and juxtaposes it against two other models of acculturation. Doing so allows the exploration of the pros and cons of each model and then offer suggestions for more holistic approaches to understanding and measuring acculturation. There are many aspects of life in the U.S. that were new to the Somali women such as driving, adult education, employment opportunities, and maintaining culture. Through many support systems, and efforts at keeping Somali culture intact through food and religion, along with the language barrier, the women adjusted to life in America. Participation at the community garden was an important part of their daily routine (even if only during the short growing season), giving the women agency, independence and the ability to create something and be on their own. In essence, the garden functioned as a mini-Somalia for them, providing not only a means of acculturation and accumulation of social capital, but a place of bonding.

Details
Details
  • Lexington Books
    Pages: 124 • Trim: 6 x 9
    978-1-66696-355-7 • Hardback • March 2025 • $95.00 • (£73.00)
    Subjects: Social Science / Emigration & Immigration, Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural, Social Science / Ethnic Studies / General
Author
Author
  • Anadil Iftekhar received her PhD from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in December.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Acknowledgments

    Introduction

    Chapter 1: Somali Life in America

    Chapter 2: Putting the Community in the Garden

    Chapter 3: To Become American or Not?

    Conclusion: How to Talk about the Displaced

    Appendix: Questionnaire for the Interviews

    Bibliography

    Index

    About the Author

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