Description

A common feature of all human histories is migration. Though the phenomenon
is as old as humanity itself, the pace has been accelerated in the twenty-first
century by the significant developments witnessed in the domains of transport
and communication.

These developments naturally imply the coming together of the local and
the foreign, of 'here' and 'there' and ultimately of the 'known' self and the
unknown 'other'. Furthermore, migration is not only made easier and more
desirable as a result, but actually becomes inevitable. This is because movement
of the individual itself becomes unnecessary; the 'there' is set compellingly
against the 'here'. The result of this movement and counter-movement is a
world in constant, and growing flux and transnationness.

The migration of individuals implies the migration of cultures. Cultural
migration produces transitional and transnational identities. This transnationness
itself is not a state, but rather a stage in a seemingly interminable
process of 'becoming'.