THE MACEDONINA DIASPORA IN OVERSEAS COUNTRIES: FROM ETHNIC IZOLATION TO TRANSNATIONALISM
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Dushka Matevska
Zoran Matevski
Abstract
Members of the Macedonian diaspora are comfortable in, and have a sense of
belonging in both Macedonia and Overseas Countries, with both countries featuring
strongly in their personal identity. It is clear that transnationalism is a prominent
feature of Macedonian life. The duality of Macedonian identity is also manifest in
their language use and skills, with high rates of fluency and literacy in both Macedonian
and English. Use of Macedonian clearly reinforces Macedonian identity. This
in turn facilitates access to Macedonian media, which itself further reinforces the
Macedonian element in the person's identity. These show that there are a number
. of means by which the Macedonian diaspora is reproduced. These include a high
number of visits to the homeland, family ties and regular communication between
thecountries. Engagement in this contact reinforces knowledge, care and identification
with R.Macedonia. What is also evident is that the main driver of the diaspora's
relationship with the homeland is strong family ties. This primarily explains
visitation, communication and the emotional concerns and empathy. It is often the
extended rather than nuclear family that ties the diaspora to the homeland, and as
such the nature of the family unit and its status within Macedonian culture is arguably
the most important driver in maintaining a diaspora-homeland relationship.
Ties with Macedonia may be weakening for younger Macedonians born in overseas
countries. This is evidenced by lower levels of engagement and identification than
those born overseas, and a diminution in the depth and nature of ties is likely. This
means that other models for engagement between this younger overseas born diaspora
and the homeland are necessary if these ties are to be maintained. Social
media is one obvious tool that can be effectively utilised for this purpose.
belonging in both Macedonia and Overseas Countries, with both countries featuring
strongly in their personal identity. It is clear that transnationalism is a prominent
feature of Macedonian life. The duality of Macedonian identity is also manifest in
their language use and skills, with high rates of fluency and literacy in both Macedonian
and English. Use of Macedonian clearly reinforces Macedonian identity. This
in turn facilitates access to Macedonian media, which itself further reinforces the
Macedonian element in the person's identity. These show that there are a number
. of means by which the Macedonian diaspora is reproduced. These include a high
number of visits to the homeland, family ties and regular communication between
thecountries. Engagement in this contact reinforces knowledge, care and identification
with R.Macedonia. What is also evident is that the main driver of the diaspora's
relationship with the homeland is strong family ties. This primarily explains
visitation, communication and the emotional concerns and empathy. It is often the
extended rather than nuclear family that ties the diaspora to the homeland, and as
such the nature of the family unit and its status within Macedonian culture is arguably
the most important driver in maintaining a diaspora-homeland relationship.
Ties with Macedonia may be weakening for younger Macedonians born in overseas
countries. This is evidenced by lower levels of engagement and identification than
those born overseas, and a diminution in the depth and nature of ties is likely. This
means that other models for engagement between this younger overseas born diaspora
and the homeland are necessary if these ties are to be maintained. Social
media is one obvious tool that can be effectively utilised for this purpose.
Subjects
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