Dissertation Research: Historical Consciousness of a Displaced Population

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This project supports the dissertation research of an anthropology student in Botswana, southern Africa. The project examines the historical consciousness of being exiled of a people (the Herero), which is in contrast with their present situation of adaptation to their host society. The methodology combines intensive interviewing on oral life histories and a household survey with participant observation of the current society. This project is important because the history of the world can be seen as one of exile, displacement and other significant population movements. Understanding how some people rationalize their current situation and come to terms with their sense of exile can help us understand general patterns of adaptation to population movement across national borders, which can help ameliorate problems.