Purity and Exile: Violence, Memory, and National Cosmology among Hutu Refugees in Tanzania
In Purity and Exile, Liisa H. Malkki examines the Hutu refugees in Tanzania, focusing on how violence and displacement forge a national cosmology centered on purity and moral order. Through ethnographic research, she explores the role of memory in shaping identities and social bonds in exile, revealing the profound effects of conflict on displaced communities.
About This Book
Purity and Exile offers an in-depth exploration of Hutu refugees living in camps in Tanzania following the violence in Burundi. The book investigates how these displaced communities construct narratives of their past and present through the lens of national cosmology.
Liisa H. Malkki draws on extensive fieldwork to analyze the interplay between memory, violence, and identity formation in exile. She highlights the refugees' efforts to maintain a sense of purity and distinction amid the chaos of displacement.
The study illuminates broader themes of how exile influences social structures and cultural expressions among marginalized groups. It provides insights into the human dimensions of refugee life and the enduring impact of conflict on collective consciousness.
Through detailed observations, the book underscores the resilience of cultural narratives in the face of adversity, offering a nuanced view of refugee experiences in Africa.
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