Date of Award
January 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Douglas Munski
Abstract
This research examines the communicative challenges that Congolese refugees face after resettlement, particularly as they strive to reconstruct a sense of belonging in the United States that reflects their experiences in either their home country or secondary countries where they endured protracted displacement in refugee camps. Narrative qualitative research methods were used to conduct interviews with five Congolese refugees in Appalachia. Through qualitative thematic and lexical analysis derived from the interviews, the study reveals patterns of linguistic isolation, community continuity, and emotional displacement. A key finding is that participants often conceptualize community not as a geographic entity, but as an intracultural one. Despite years in the U.S., many participants continue to rely exclusively on pre-resettlement cultural networks and maintain minimal interaction with the host society. Furthermore, the curated narratives derived from the interviews demonstrate that grief and death become pivotal points for both hardship and the affirmation of communal support during the resettlement process. By presenting these stories bilingually (in English and the participants’ native languages), the research contributes to the growing movement of narrative sovereignty.
Recommended Citation
Davis, Kayla, "Congolese Refugee Narratives Of Belonging, Grief, And Cultural Continuity In Appalachia" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 7503.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/7503