Fare impresa all’estero: storie di oggetti, storie migranti

Abstract

One way migration culture is manifested is through its materiality, represented by cultural artefacts, social networks, symbolic emblems or objects of memory, which represent a way or an instant method to get in touch with one’s past and present existential trajectories. These objects, in fact, often become symbolic devices capable of nurturing a sense of belonging in the new world and a link with one’s place of origin. In this article, we will consider the life story of a migrant who pursued an entrepreneurial path by trying to open his own business in his destination country, specifically in the city of Matera in southern Italy. The case study analysed focuses on the story of Suryabhan and his relationship with a sacred idol representing the god Ganesh. An ethnographic research method was used, aided by interviews.

Keywords

• migrant entrepreneurship
• materiality
• identity
• life story
• anthropology of migration