ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the agency of forced migrants in making informed decisions and creating a sense of place. Drawing on a five-year ethnographic study conducted in Sherkole refugee camp, the chapter demonstrates how refugees from the Great Lakes regions construct their historical narratives to integrate and build harmonious relationships with the host community. The study used key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and literature reviews to understand the factors informing refugees’ decision to leave their home countries, their migration trajectories, and their reasons for choosing Ethiopia as their preferred destination. The chapter shows how refugees capitalize on oral history, particularly those claiming ethnic ties with the Ethiopian people, to easily integrate with the host community in their destination. Additionally, the chapter discusses refugees’ economic and social capital investment in their destination. Overall, this chapter highlights the agency of refugees in making choices about their destination and creating a narrative to integrate with others in their new home.
