Thursday 28 March 2024
 5.9°C   ESE Moderate Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Features / Am I an incomer?

THE RESULTS of a nine month research project about the many folk from foreign shores who have made Shetland their home have been made public last week.

Migration is not a new issue for Shetland – over the last few centuries thousands of islanders left in search for a new home overseas, while more recently many more arrived to set up home in the isles.

Today Shetland is a surprisingly diverse and cosmopolitan place with people from all corners of the globe contributing to a vibrant island community.

After being referred to as an “incomer”, Walls-based poet and writer Raman Mundair embarked on a creative journey to explore the meaning of the word and hear stories from the many foreign nationals who now call Shetland their home.

“Do I see myself as an incomer?” she asked.

“It raised more questions than it resolved. I thought, ‘I don’t relate to this; let me look into this’. And then, of course, I recognised that it is a loaded term.

“I know on some levels [‘incomer’] is used to describe and to make a differentiation between someone who has come here and someone who was born here, but then I thought about the people who have been incomers and had children – are their children still incomers?

“At what point do you stop being an incomer?”

Mundair sought answers other “incomers”, like Radina from Bulgaria, Akshay from India, Milroy from Sri Lanka, Misa from the Czech Republic, Zusanna from Poland along with dozens more.

Their stories and thoughts form part of a small exhibition that opened last Wednesday in the museum’s foyer just outside Hay’s Dock Café Restaurant.

They will also be stored in the archives and are now accessible via webpages hosted by the Shetland Amenity Trust at www.shetlandamenity.org/incoming-map

Become a supporter of Shetland News

 

A small book, Incoming – Some Shetland Voices, with contributions from archivist Brian Smith, museum curator Ian Tait, as well as incomers Rosa Steppanova and Mundair herself was launched on the same day, and is available at the exhibition space.

Mundair said: “On the whole people have had very positive experiences, but married with that there are also sacrifices.

“A lot of people spoke very beautifully and poetically about Shetland on record, but off record would present another side of their experience, a side that perhaps didn’t marry what they just told me, and that would be because they invested in being here, this is their home and some have lived here longer than anywhere else.

“I found it was quite a layered conversation that I have had with people and I was able to build up some really lovely relationships with folk.”

Listen here to Raman Mundair speaking about her project:

{code playerAudio|99240930|/images/audio/140629_a_i_an_incomer.mp3}

Born in Ludhiana, India, Mundair moved with her parents to London at the age of five and first came to Shetland in 2002 when she was the isles’ writer in residence for a year.

Based at the Shetland Archives, the Incoming project was made possible through a Leverhulme Trust artist in residence grant.

The exhibition in the Shetland Museum and Archives runs until 20 July.

 

Become a supporter of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.

Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.

Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has  over 600 supporters  who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.

Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -

  • Bring you the headlines as they happen;
  • Stay editorially independent;
  • Give a voice to the community;
  • Grow site traffic further;
  • Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.

Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.

 
Categories

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Become a supporter of Shetland News

We're committed to ensuring everyone has equitable access to impartial, open and quality local journalism that benefits all residents.

By supporting Shetland News, you play a vital role in ensuring we remain a pivotal resource in supporting the community.

Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.