Rwandan diaspora online: Social connections and identity narratives

This article explores how Rwandan diaspora living in North America and Europe use social media platforms to establish networked connections and express a range of identity narratives related to their forced displacement and resettlement experiences. Facebook posts (and cross-posted tweets), including status updates and linked artefacts, posted by members of the Rwandan diaspora were analysed using thematic analysis, borrowing concepts from virtual ethnography. Results reveal that Rwandan diaspora active on social media used Facebook and Twitter extensively to connect with homeland compatriots and to express a range of identity narratives with strong historic and cultural connections. Trauma related to their displacement and resettlement experiences was prevalent throughout the data and was strongly integrated into diaspora members’ collective identity. Contributions to migration policy and service providers working with trauma-exposed migrants are explored.