MIGRATION, GENDER, AND THE DISPLACEMENT OF IDENTITY IN NOVIOLET BULAWAYO’S WE NEED NEW NAMES

Abstract

This study examines the displacement of identity among African migrant women in NoViolet Bulawayo's We Need New Names. Employing postcolonial framework, this research explores how gender intersects with the legacy of colonialism and imperialism to shape migrant women's experiences of identity, adaptation, and resilience. Through a literary analysis, this research explores how gender intersects with the legacy of colonialism and imperialism to shape identity, adaptation, and resilience among migrant characters. The novel reveals how female characters navigate the complexities of cultural displacement, negotiating the tensions between traditional and Western cultures, and resisting the oppressive force of patriarchy. Findings show that female migrants experience heightened cultural dislocation, exploitative conditions, and identity fragmentation compared to their male counterparts. Resilience emerges as a vital coping mechanism as characters subvert dominant discourses and redefine their identities in response to gendered societal expectations. This study concludes that migration, when viewed through a postcolonial and gendered lens, presents unique difficulties that shape the identities and lived experiences of African women in diaspora. By foregrounding the intersection of gender, migration, and postcolonialism, this research highlights the importance of recognizing gender as a critical factor in understanding migrant experiences in African literature.