The Somali community is relatively new in the UK and the majority of Somalis in Bristol are living under poor conditions in deprived areas. According to literature and research relevant for this study ethnic identity seems to be of more importance when threatened by environmental or social changes, such as experiences of migration. Young people are more exposed to such a process of identity construction. The aim for this study was to get a more profound understanding for the significance of migration for young Somali people’s identity formation in Bristol. We aimed to answer the following questions; 1) how do the young people describe their experiences of migration, 2) how do they describe their place in the new society and 3) how do they describe their ethnic and national belonging. To reach our aim we have performed six semi-structured qualitative interviews with three young Somali women and three young Somali men in Bristol in the age 18 to 25. The results show that the young participants’ experience of migration differs in many ways. The young people express a certainty about their personal identity as well as their ethnic and national belonging to the Somali community. Hence, looking at the conclusions from a holistic view a firm uncertainty and contradictorily reflections are revealed. Some influencing aspects on the significance of migration for the young people’s identity formation are exposed. The age at the time of leaving Somalia and arriving in the UK is one; the age at the time the interviews were held is another. The family and friends along with religion, the Somali language and the social surroundings in the living area all have influence in the Somali young people’s experiences of forming a life as well as an established identity in Bristol.

Sammanfattning  Syftet med studien är att belysa hur tre författare genom sina självbiografiska skildringar beskriver upplevelsen av att växa upp under ogynnsamma villkor i relation till identitetsskapande processer. Studien knyter teoretiskt an till ett socialkonstruktionistiskt och interaktionistiskt perspektiv. I studien har narrativ analys används för att närma sig författarnas subjektiva skildringar av interaktionens betydelse för deras självbild.   I studien har vi funnit att författarna beskriver en identitetsprocess vilken gestaltas genom olika faser av närmanden och distans till sin uppväxt. Studien belyser även hur självbiografin som produkt kan ses som en del av identitetskonstruktionen. Studiens slutsatser visar att författarna genomgående beskriver ambivalenta känslor gentemot sin uppväxt och sina upplevelser. Detta påverkar deras identitetsutveckling. I studien används havet som metafor för livet och utifrån detta redovisas resultatet med hänvisning till havets olika uppförande samt hur dessa kan bemästras, därav uppsatsens namn Människan och havet. Identitetsfaserna benämns och karaktäriseras enligt följande: Stilla havsbris är den fas då författarna börjar få en förnimmelse av normalitet och avvikelse i relation till sin egen situation. Hela havet stormar är den fas då författarna strävar efter frigörelse från sitt sociala sammanhang. Lägga till vid en brygga är den fas då författarna närmar sig och försonas med sin historia.

This thesis is intended to respond to the extent to which South African textbooks on the subject of history is linked to the governmental policy documents and whether they are producing and reproducing national identity. The two textbooks are aimed at students in grade 10. Both books were produced in 2008 but published by different publishers. The essay is based on Norman Faircloughs critical discourse theory which has been supplemented by Michael Billings theory Banal Nationalism, which assumes that it is the national words that remind us daily of our homeland that is producing and reproducing national identity.   The survey shows that both textbooks are closely tied to the government policy document for the teaching of history. The textbooks refer to the policy, both explicitly and implicitly. The two textbooks reproduce a common national identity in South Africa based on the discussions taking place in society. In other words, the textbooks have been influenced by Rainbowism and African Renaissance. The books lift up both the idea of a reconciled South Africa and a proud nation in the continent of Africa. The texts and exercises in the books contribute to the production of national identity by reminding students that they can be proud to be South African in a unique multicultural nation. The analysis also shows that the textbooks strive to include all people in the national community regardless of ethnicity.

<p>The purpose of this study is to examine whether religious behavior or religious identity changes when a person with Muslim background moves to a Christian country and also very secular such as Sweden. </p><p>I have interviewed five people with Muslim background that have moved from Turkey to Sweden. In this study I have applied Anthony Giddens and Thomas Ziehe's theories about building up an identity but also Nader Ahmadis theory of migration and identity.</p><p>The results of this study show that there is a change in the practice of religion but also that this differs between these five people who came from the same country. Nevertheless, a change in the practice of religion can on one hand be as a result of modernity and on the other hand, exclusion of family. It also proves that it is not possible to draw general conclusions on this issue instead it should be looked at from an individual perspective.</p>

The purpose of this study is to examine whether religious behavior or religious identity changes when a person with Muslim background moves to a Christian country and also very secular such as Sweden.  I have interviewed five people with Muslim background that have moved from Turkey to Sweden. In this study I have applied Anthony Giddens and Thomas Ziehe's theories about building up an identity but also Nader Ahmadis theory of migration and identity. The results of this study show that there is a change in the practice of religion but also that this differs between these five people who came from the same country. Nevertheless, a change in the practice of religion can on one hand be as a result of modernity and on the other hand, exclusion of family. It also proves that it is not possible to draw general conclusions on this issue instead it should be looked at from an individual perspective.