ABSTRACT
Sudan and Suomi (‘Finland’ in Finnish) are very different nations. Various assessments have rated Finland the best country in the world in which to live while Sudan struggles, mired in poverty and intermittent civil war. Finland is the world’s most northerly nation state while Sudan lies close to equator. But, despite the many differences, Finland began to accept Southern Sudanese – mostly Christian – refugees in 2001 and they have since established a nationwide Anglican community and various other churches. There is a significantly sized Southern Sudanese community in Oulu, in the north of the country.
From Sudan to Suomi is an ethnographic account of the Southern Sudanese Christian churches in Oulu and the first detailed ethnographic account of any Southern Sudanese community in Finland. Through participant observation, it attempts to gain a deeper understanding of Southern Sudanese religiosity and culture and the way in which Southern Sudanese life has developed in its specifically Finnish cultural context. In doing so, From Sudan to Suomi also aims to help those who work with Sudanese refugees better understand the dynamics and nuances of Southern Sudanese Diaspora culture.
Contents
1. WINTER IN NORTHERN FINLAND
2. THE PROBLEM OF CULTURE
3. ANTHROPOLOGY AND DIASPORA
4. INITIAL OBSERVATIONS
5. THE SUDANESE CHURCHES OF OULU
6. SUNDAY AT THE SUDANESE ANGLICAN CHURCH
7. LIFE WITHOUT MEANING?
Objectives and Themes
This work provides an ethnographic account of the Southern Sudanese Christian community in Oulu, Finland. The primary research goal is to gain a deeper understanding of Southern Sudanese religiosity, cultural development within a Finnish context, and the dynamics of Diaspora life, while offering practical insights for professionals working with Sudanese refugees.
- Ethnographic study of Sudanese Christian churches in Oulu.
- Analysis of the Southern Sudanese Diaspora's religious beliefs and practices.
- Exploration of cultural adaptation and identity in the Finnish context.
- Contextualization of Sudanese refugee experiences within Northern Finland.
- Examination of the interplay between tribal identities and religious belonging.
Excerpt from the Book
WINTER IN NORTHERN FINLAND
It is a Sunday in January; the depths of Finnish winter. Before leaving my little wooden house in an Oulu suburb, I check the temperature on the thermometer that seems to be screwed to the front of so many Finnish houses. As an Englishman used to winters where a cold day is just above zero, I’ve quickly had to learn that you dress properly for winter in northern Finland and particularly this evening when it looks like it’s about minus 25. It’s been below minus 30 this winter, so I count myself lucky.
Thoroughly wrapped-up, I crunch my way along a snow-covered path by a rock-hard stream with houses either side of me. Eventually I reach a forest with snow frozen onto the trees. I make my way through this forest and in front of me is the Oulu district of Kaukovainio. It is, in essence, a series of blocks of flats surrounding a row of shops which include two small pubs. Many suburbs in Oulu – including Höyhtyä, from which I’ve just walked – are almost carbon copies of this. The only difference is that Kaukovainio is one of the poorest areas in Oulu. Many of the flats are cheap and city owned. When I later come here in the summer, there are gangs of teenagers hanging about and drinking. And there are groups of middle-aged men doing the same; one of them just lying unconscious in the street. Finnish friends of mine describe Kaukovainio variously as a ‘rough’ or ‘poor’ area of the city. ‘There are lots of drunks, unemployed people and immigrants,’ one remarked. I’ve heard stories of people being victims of attempted muggings there and the newsagent being robbed at knife-point by a drug addict. Despite the temperature, the two pubs are clearly busy. Inebriated, unkempt-looking people sway outside, smoking.
Summary of Chapters
WINTER IN NORTHERN FINLAND: Introduces the setting of the study in Oulu and provides a historical and political context for refugees in Finland.
THE PROBLEM OF CULTURE: Discusses the theoretical framework of culture and identity as applied to the research.
ANTHROPOLOGY AND DIASPORA: Analyzes the methodology of Diaspora studies and the intersection of anthropology with religion.
INITIAL OBSERVATIONS: Details the researcher's background in Oulu and the ethical challenges encountered during fieldwork.
THE SUDANESE CHURCHES OF OULU: Explores the history and internal dynamics of the Sudanese church communities.
SUNDAY AT THE SUDANESE ANGLICAN CHURCH: Provides a detailed ethnographic account of services and activities within the Anglican Sudanese congregation.
LIFE WITHOUT MEANING?: Concludes the research by reflecting on the findings and the implications of the ethnographic method.
Keywords
Sudanese Diaspora, Oulu, Finland, Anthropology, Christianity, Refugee, Migration, Cultural Adaptation, Ethnicity, Religion, Ethnography, Tribalism, Identity, Social Integration, Consilience
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this ethnographic study?
The study focuses on the Southern Sudanese Christian communities in Oulu, Finland, examining their religious life, social dynamics, and experiences as refugees in a new cultural environment.
What central themes are explored throughout the text?
Key themes include the impact of Diaspora life on religious and ethnic identity, the challenges of integration in a foreign country, and the role of churches in preserving community cohesion.
What is the primary research question?
The research seeks to understand what renders Sudanese Christian theology and lifestyle distinct, how the community is stratified, and why specifically Sudanese churches are developed by the refugees.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author employs participant observation and an ethnographic approach, grounded in a naturalistic and critical-rationalist perspective, attempting to unify social anthropology with biology and psychology.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The body covers the historical background of Sudan and Finland, the development of Sudanese church organizations in Oulu, and observations regarding social behavior, gender roles, and tribal identity.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The core of the book is characterized by terms like Sudanese Diaspora, Anthropology, Refugee integration, Tribalism, and Cultural Adaptation.
How does the author describe the impact of tribal identities within the Sudanese churches?
The author observes that tribal affiliations persist within the Diaspora and may contribute to social divisions and tensions between different church groups.
What role does the author's background play in the research?
Being an English immigrant and a researcher with theological credentials allowed the author to build trust and navigate the "insider-outsider" dynamics of the Sudanese community more effectively than a Finnish researcher might have.
- Quote paper
- Edward Dutton (Author), 2010, From Sudan to Suomi, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/163098
