Somali Refugees in London: Oral Culture in a Western Information Environment

Political upheaval and civil war led to hundreds of thousands of Somalis fleeing their country in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Some made their way to the United Kingdom. This paper gives an overview of the experiences of these people from an oral culture in a Western information environment. Twenty-five Somalis were interviewed in London. The rationale for their selection is discussed. The research found that Somalis communicate by telephone extensively. Adults who can receive it via satellite dish listen to the BBC Somali Service - broadcast to the Horn of Africa - in London. Young Somalis face problems due to their prior lack of schooling in the rural parts of Somalia and in the refugee camps, and because English is their third or fourth language. Word of mouth is the main way of finding out about study opportunities and jobs. Community associations help single parents with little English. Somali language publications are few. Use of the Internet is common among Somali professionals and university students. Research conducted over a number of years would be of value in assessing adaptation to a new information environment. Research on the information needs and interests of children born to Somali parents in the UK would also be of value.