Superdiverse Diaspora: Everyday Identifications of Tamil Migrants in Britain (Global Diversities)

Drawing on in-depth qualitative research, this book provides a nuanced picture of the everyday identifications experienced and expressed among the superdiverse Tamil migrant population in Britain. It presents the first detailed analysis of the narrative and experiences of Tamils from a diversity of backgrounds – including Sri Lankan, Indian, Singaporean and Malaysian – and addresses the question of their identification with a ‘Tamil diaspora’ in Britain. Theoretically informed by Brubaker’s conception of ‘diaspora as process’ and Werbner’s notion of diasporas as both ‘aesthetic’ and ‘moral’ communities, Jones examines political engagements alongside other, less studied, ‘frames’ of Tamil migrants’ lives: social relationships (local and transnational), the domestic space of home, and performances of faith and ritual. Considering diaspora as a process or practice allows the author to reveal a complex landscape upon which ‘being Tamil’ and ‘doing Tamil-ness’ in diaspora are diversely enacted. Combining original ethnographic research with a theoretical engagement in the key debates in migration, diaspora, ethnicity and superdiversity studies, this book makes a novel contribution to scholarship on Tamil populations and will advance critical understandings of the concept of ‘diaspora’ more generally. Drawing on in-depth qualitative research, this book provides a nuanced picture of the everyday identifications experienced and expressed among the superdiverse Tamiḻ migrant population in Britain. It presents the first detailed analysis of the narrative and experiences of Tamiḻs from a diversity of backgrounds – including Sri Lankan, Indian, Singaporean and Malaysian – and addresses the question of their identification with a ‘Tamiḻ diaspora’ in Britain.Theoretically informed by Brubaker’s conception of ‘diaspora as process’ and Werbner’s notion of diasporas as both ‘aesthetic’ and ‘moral’ communities, Jones examines political engagements alongside other, less studied, ‘frames’ of Tamil migrants’ lives: social relationships (local and transnational), the domestic space of home, and performances of faith and ritual. Considering diaspora as a process or practice allows the author to reveal a complex landscape upon which ‘being Tamil’ and ‘doing Tamil-ness’ in diaspora are diversely enacted.Combining original ethnographic research with a theoretical engagement in the key debates in migration, diaspora, ethnicity and superdiversity studies, this book makes a novel contribution to scholarship on Tamil populations and will advance critical understandings of the concept of ‘diaspora’ more generally. Front Matter ....Pages i-xiii Introduction (Demelza Jones)....Pages 1-23 Researching a Superdiverse ‘Diaspora’ (Demelza Jones)....Pages 25-50 The Making of a Superdiverse ‘Diaspora’ (Demelza Jones)....Pages 51-71 The Transnational Political Field (Demelza Jones)....Pages 73-105 Social Relationships (Demelza Jones)....Pages 107-137 Home and Family (Demelza Jones)....Pages 139-170 Faith and Public Ritual (Demelza Jones)....Pages 171-212 Conclusions: Too Diverse to Diaspora? (Demelza Jones)....Pages 213-224 Back Matter ....Pages 225-255