More-Than-Human Migration
The research topic of More-Than-Human (MTH) Migration explores different kinds of mobilities such as drug trafficking, the trade and smuggling of goods and animals, pollution and invasive species, as well as the migration of spiritual beings. Following the DiaMiGo research academy’s overarching conceptual focus on infrastructuring and the materiality of migration, we are especially interested in how concrete forms of more-than-human mobilities are entangled with human migration frameworks. How do MTH and human migration frameworks resemble, complement, diverge, or even oppose each other? And to what extent are their entanglements determined by the legacies of colonialism to the present day? Drawing on specific ethnographic examples and case studies, we highlight the need for situated (ethnographic) approaches and analysis of species-specific forms of migration.
The DiaMiGo research topic of More-Than-Human Migration was developed by social anthropologist Christoph Lange (Academic Programme Manager at the research hub for Multidisciplinary Environmental Studies in the Humanities (MESH) and coordinator of the Mediterranean Liminalities Research Lab). At the DiaMiGo Autumn Research Academy 2023 he gave an introductory lecture on “More-Than-Human Migration – The Mediterranean as a ‘More-Than-Human Border Region”.
DiaMiGo focuses on research examining the environmental consequences of the Suez Canal's historical impact on migration, specifically Lessepsian migration in the Mediterranean Sea. A lecture by Karin Ahlberg (University of Bremen) delved into the emotional attachments and questions of belonging that arise as alien species proliferate in Southern Crete. The discussion challenges preconceived notions about landscapes and explores the emotional reactions triggered by fish migrants' influence on the sea.
Focusing on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), we are interested in exploring the symbiotic relationship between a monumental infrastructure project and Ethiopian migrant workers in the UAE. Saleh Seid’s (University of Cologne) research employs a more-than-human perspective, highlighting how the dam becomes an entity with agency, shaping the daily lives and identities of migrant workers. The role of digital platforms in connecting human and non-human entities is emphasized, shedding light on the transformative impact of the GERD on the experiences of Ethiopian migrants.
Another topic of interest are the migration paths of young rural individuals from cannabis-producing areas in Morocco. Migration serves as a means for these individuals to integrate transnational networks and engage in the cannabis trade. A study by Khalid Mouna (Moulay Ismail University) reveals the initiatory path that allows them to return with new ideas and resources, playing a crucial role in the circulation of cannabis hybridization seeds, connecting local cannabis production with the global hybrid market.
Exploring the cultural heritage of migrants and refugees, we dealt with research recognizing the challenges faced by displaced individuals in preserving their cultural practices and memories. A study by Amira Ahmed (American University Cairo) aims to uncover traces of migration memories and institutions as contributions to migration infrastructure and cultural heritage. It seeks to understand how cultural heritage can serve as a political resource for history-making and justice claims, emphasizing the mobility and materiality of migrants' cultural practices and objects in shaping regimes of mobility.
Together under the umbrella of More-Than-Human Migration, these research endeavors delve into the complex and interconnected web of relationships involving humans, non-human entities, and the environment, offering a holistic understanding of migration beyond traditional perspectives.
