The nature and “lived” experiences of contemporary African diasporas

This chapter examines the relationship between home, identity, and belonging among contemporary African diasporas. Using contemporary case studies of African diasporas in Europe, the chapter argues that the notions of home and homeland influence diasporic connections to place and people across national borders. Diaspora levels of engagement with or disinterest in their actual or imagined places of origin are determined by, among other factors, how diaspora members conceptualise and relate to “home” or their homeland. The idea of home evokes many emotions, experiences, places, and connections among diverse transnational and diasporic groups. The chapter further contends that African diasporas’ connection to home is not fixed to a particular land and territory, but rather varies according to local, national, and global factors. Home then refers to both practical, material, symbolic, and imagined transnational relationships and the hope of returning to one's homeland. These different understandings ultimately impact African diaspora's lived experiences in their countries of settlement and the transnational relationships they have with their “homeland”.