ỌBÁṢỌLÁ

Thirst for Homeland


According to Edward Said 'Exile is a complex phenomenon for those who experience it and is caused most times by the dystopian conditions at home and worsened by the insatiable desires abroad.’


Since the turn of the twentieth century, violence and conflict have become major factors contributing to the displacement of millions of people worldwide. A fair few of these have been forced into exile. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, up to 18.4 million people in 2017 have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict. These diaspora communities are often denied access to basic human needs and freedom.


‘Thirst for Homeland’ explores the story of former Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees in Oru International Refugee Camp, Nigeria. Their experiences in exile, survival strategies, sense of belonging and identity and their willingness to either return to their homeland or integrate and settle in an alien country; despite the failure of the ‘classical durable’ solutions (repatriation, local integration, and resettlement) by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the National Commission For Refugees.

Gadafi holding his old Liberian Passport. Liberia Refugee Civil war
Liberian Passport Liberia Refugee Civil War
Taylor holds a group photo taken when they arrived at Oru International refugee camp, Nigeria. Liberian Liberia Refugee Civil War
Portrait of James, a Liberian refugee and his family in their room at the Oru International refugee camp, Nigeria. Liberian Liberia Refugee Civil War
Aminatu, a Sierra Leonean refugee and her children in front of their room at the Oru international refugee camp, Nigeria. Liberian Passport Liberia Refugee Civil War
Mama Sckadee and her granddaughter, Angel, both Liberian refugees, inside their kitchen at the Oru International refugee camp, Nigeria. Liberian Passport Liberia Refugee Civil War
James, a Ligerian refugee carrying two 25 litres of water to his room at Oru International refugee camp, Nigeria. Liberian Passport Liberia Refugee Civil War
Mama Sckadee walking in the dark passage of her building in the refugee camp
Nene, a Liberian refugee born at Oru International refugee camp, in Nigeria, bathes her brother outside. Liberia Refugee Civil War
Mustapha, a Sierra Leonean refugee holds his identity cards
Old Liberian passport of Mama Sckadee
Mama Sckadee holding her old Liberian passport issued in 1982
A building that now accommodates the refugees after they were banished from the main refugee camp
Kids playing at the Oru International Refugee Camp, Nigeria. Liberia Sierra Leone Civil War Refugee
Adults playing the Ludo game at night at the Oru International Refugee Camp, Nigeria. Liberia Sierra Leone Civil War Refugee
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