Jigsaw

Focusing on Somalia youth community living in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Dhaka in Bangladesh is one of the most populated cities in the world. It’s easy to lose one’s own rhythm of life in a fast-paced city like this. Dhaka’s people are warm and welcoming, however, during my 6-month stay in 2018, I never felt quite a part of the community; I remained as a guest. Coming from a different cultural background, the feeling of not being able to connect with the city and community-led me to feel a sense of isolation and cultural confusion.

I subconsciously began to look for people who found themselves in a similar situation. One day, I met a group of Somalia students at the immigration office, while dealing with my never-ending visa extension process. Quickly we became friends and I was invited to their homes to try my first Somalia dish “Anjero”, a traditional pancake with some curry. Our Shared experience of living in Dhaka, of being there but not quite belonging, made us become close.

The Somalia youth community living in Dhaka as international students face challenges of isolation, cultural confusion and even discrimination. So they created their own circle of closeness, youthful bonding and intimacy to live comfortably in this city.

There are, of course, times when this circle bursts and they are reminded of feelings of otherness and loneliness in their temporary home.