ABSTRACT

The term Diaspora refers to given current interest in the processes of globalisation and transnationalism. This chapter draws some of the themes the author has addressed in previous work on: the settlement experiences of refugees and refugee women in Australia and processes of identification among Hmong refugees and the Hmong Diaspora. It aims to subject the discourses of Hmong identity to sociological analysis, thereby revealing some important characteristics of this displaced population. By examining the nexus between Hmong resettlement and identification processes in a global context, the chapter demonstrates that Hmong identities are grounded in both global and local social relations. It highlights the value of conducting longitudinal and comparative ethnographic research to ensure that the complex contours of the effects of displacement are illuminated and the contested nature of identification is revealed as people select settlement strategies and develop a sense of belonging in their new homes.