My summer research project aims to understand the high migration patterns for Fula people in Guinea. In Guinea, Fula people have the highest ethnic concentration, yet they have the highest emigration rates and lowest representation within the government. My interest in this topic was sparked by Susanna Fioratta research. In her research, she uses the term personhood to describe the constellation of consciousness, roles and responsibilities that motivate Guinean Fulas to emigrate. She identifies the roles and responsibilities to be related to economic pursuits. Fulas who migrate often send money back home to support their families and build houses in Fouta Djallon. Fioratta quotes several Fulas in her research that express their frustration for the lack of employment opportunities in Guinea. Fioratta emphasizes money as the main motivation for migration, however, there are many other factors driving Fulas to emigrate from Guinea. To understand and study migration patterns, historical development, modern-day politics and a culture’s values must be taken into account – Fioratta did not do that.
My research will most likely be a comparative study between Guinea and another country I will choose with a similar historical background and political climate as Guinea. I have been considering Mali because of its proximity to Guinea(in terms of location, which will be useful for similarity in cultural values ). They were also both colonized by the French, experienced military coups and a civil war. In addition to using a case study, I will be traveling to Guinea to better understand the current political climate. In 2020, Guinea suffered great electoral violence during its presidential election. Guinea often experiences electoral violence or has political regimes, which are all evidence for limited employment and high emigration rates. Between my comparative study and research on the 2020 presidential election, I will be fully equipped to add on to Fioratta’s research.
