"What is diaspora?"
Scattering of people from their homeland.
The Power of Homesickness: Understanding Diaspora in Literature
Diaspora, a word originated from the Greek language, is used to describe an event where a large group of people with a common origin, traditions, and culture, are dispersed outside their homeland, often involuntarily. The sense of loss, homesickness, and displacement is one of the main themes of diasporic literature.
Through using fragmented narratives, hybrid identities, and language mixing, diasporic writers often explore the complexities of personal and collective identity, cultural clash, and hybridity. As a creative writer, understanding the power of diaspora can add depth and authenticity to your portrayal of characters that have been uprooted from their homelands or who are struggling to reconcile two cultures within themselves.
Take a look at how diasporic literature has explored the feeling of disconnection and displacement through these two examples:
'The Joy Luck Club' tells the story of four Chinese immigrant women and their four American-born daughters who struggle to reconcile their dual identities and histories.
'Breath, Eyes, Memory' follows the life of a young Haitian girl who moves to the United States to live with her mother, leaving behind her cultural roots, traditions, and the intimate bond she shared with her grandmother.