Dublin Core
Title
Alisha
Subject
Oral history from Zanzibar to Kansas
Description
Originally from Zanzibar, Alisha has lived in Kansas since she was 10. In this interview, she talks about her identity as an African person as well as what it was like going back to visit Zanzibar. She also shares what it is like to speak both Kiswahili and English while navigating two different worlds.
Source
Date
2000s
Coverage
Kansas
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Transcription
Alisha (A)
Maggie (M)
A: I just wanted to clarify that. I was okay.
M: Yeah. So I know you read this, but I just wanted to say again that it's–it's totally voluntary. You can withdraw whenever you want. You don't have to talk about anything you don't want to. It's all. You can also be anonymous if you want. In that case, I'll stop the recording.
M: Yeah. So yeah, you can if you don't want to talk well, you can always just reach out to Liz MacGonagle or Marta if you have any questions and also me. So yeah. Do you have any questions so far?
A: No.
M: Then I’ll stop talking. What did you want to share about your family's story?
A: I felt like you'd be asking you the question.
M: I can ask him more questions…
A: That works. Yeah, I think that works better.
M: So how did your parents end up in Kansas, if they did?
A: So my mom and my dad got married. And then it was my mom's idea to go to America. And she kinda–I have a big story–my mom told my dad that she wanted to be an American. And so she kind of dragged him over to America and he made it there. Yeah.
M: And they're both from Zimbawe?
A: They were both born and raised in them. You know, I haven't asked about that. I can go and ask and then come back to you if you want me to do this again. I really sure I don't.
M: Yeah. It's just when people end up in Kansas instead of like New York or something. I'm just like it's just funny to me, I guess.
A: Good questions, but I will definitely let you know about those.
M: Okay. Um, did growing up–did you feel I guess, how would you identify yourself with that?
A: I think now, in question you're asked and asked myself that question. Yeah. She's like like first grade, I came here to Zanzibar. And that was like the beginning of my memory. I don't really remember much before that.
A: So I kind of identified when I came back to Lawrence, when I was ten, four years later, identified as African. And from Africa has like That was just what I remembered. It wasn't like I was born in America and I went to Africa. Appearance, it's just that I lived in Africa is a big part of who I was.
A: So if somebody asks to, sorry…[silence]...so if somebody asked in class when they ask you to stand up and give a few interesting facts about yourself. I was born and I was raised in Africa, I speak Swahili yeah.
M: Do you think that's changed over time? Instead, he still asked to identify him from African. Yeah, I recognize that once I hit like highschool, all of the people I went to middle school and elementary school with already knew that I spoke.
M: Okay, that's not really my personality factor, like my determining personality trait anymore. So I think when I kinda realized there's more to it than just that trip, I took that well, I mean, it was a long trip–four years.
M: Where do you see a lot of cultural similarities or differences between them? Kansas and Zanzibar?
A: I thought that this morning actually, mainly Islamic religion, culture has like a speaker that plays on their sites and in the morning to pray. So I was thinking about how different that is from being in Kansas and how you would never hear a speaker playing some sort of religious monitor?
M: Yeah.
A: Because it's yeah. Yeah. Very different.
M: I was only in Arusha for eight weeks and Zanzibar for a weekend, but I really liked the culture there just because I don't know. It was kinda soothing and also like this is what time it is.
But yeah, probably wouldn't hear that in Kansas.
A: I always think about how it's so different we're culturally. But I always try to remember that like everybody is a person who all people. So there has to be some similarities there. No matter if I'm in Kansas or in here in Zanzibar.
A: So it's kind of a big thing I tend to think about is what exactly is different. Like, obviously the language is different. Language comes with so much. So it's very hard to kind of learn about what's exactly different in the culture without understanding the language completely?
M: Yeah. How do you think language plays into it?
A: Um, I don't know. It's like kind of when I think about it, it's kinda like thinking of the baby. You talk to babies, really show what you're talking about. So when somebody is speaking to me, I'm not really sure what their undercover meaning, you know. They're talking to a baby because I'm not really sure exactly what you're talking about. I can hear the words and understand somewhere that I'm not really sure what the cultural significance is.
M: Yeah. So does it kinda feel like step away. Your instinct or whatever? When you speak English? Like good.
A: Yeah, definitely. Yeah. I think I'm going to answer it and I hope that's the right answer you're looking for…
M: I’m not looking for an answer…
A: I noticed. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. Just like what your question was.. But when I speak Swahili, I notice that I kind of use an accident. Obviously, I'm speaking Swahili. And I wonder if I know the kind of lost my train of thought there is that you want me to speak English here, I use a different accent.
A: It's kind of I don't know, it's kind of different because just because I'm in Africa and I'm speaking the same language I speak in Kansas. My English is different. How I speak to you right now is a bit different than how I speak to someone who primarily speak, Swahili.
M: That's interesting. Yeah. I yeah. I can see how that could work out. The English I speak with people who are learning English is different.
[silence]
A: I'm so sorry. There's a little birthday party happening.
M: I’m so sorry. I don’t want you to miss a birthday party. Not your birthday party..
A: But they weren't even sure if it was going to happen today is kind of hearing just like sorry, I lost my word. Or they're kind of planning for it to be tomorrow. So it wasn't even. They're just last minute letting me know that it's happening right now.
M: Okay. Well, yeah, we can always come back and do it again if you want to. No pressure.
A: Ummm…I told them to give me 20 minutes.
M: Okay. That works. Okay. Yes. So English, Swahili. You said earlier, you think about how everyone's human. Do you think there are some big similarities that stand out?
A: Yeah. Simple ones like smiling, like a similarities like happiness, like personality wise. I don't know if that's the right word. Like happiness is a common trait. Everybody wants to be happy. I think I should act when I'm in Africa and I'm just thinking I will act happy.
A: Could you repeat the question?
M: If there were any similarity? Yeah. My internet is bad. [long pause] Are you there?
A: Sorry. I think you cut off there. Yeah.
M: Yeah. Okay. Did you think that the way you see the immigration experience is different from the way your parents see it?
A: Do I think the way I see the immigration experience is the same way my parents see it?
M: Or different.
A: Yeah. Sorry. What?
M: Or different? Similarity?
A: I think it's different 100% because they're from Zanzibar.
A: And I was…wait, sorry. So are you asking if I see their experience differently from my experience or if I their experience differently than their experience. Or like if I have a different perspective on how they experienced?
M: Or just the immigration in general.
A: Yeah. Sorry. I still don't get the question.
M: Just like I know it's different because you were born in America, but just like the way you guys have experienced going back-and-forth, how do you think that's similar or different?
A: Yeah. So I think it is different for me and for my parents because they were born here. This is their home, you know, no matter if they are in America. My mom always tells me this is her home and she even told me that this was my home and I kinda rudely told her that this was not my home and that Kansas was my home. Yeah. I had a little attitude there.
A: But since I've been here, I've grown to learn that this is my second home because I'm getting more comfortable being here and I think being here for a year, it's definitely way more significant and impactful than being here for months at a time, like living here and not on vacation.
A: So I think it's different because in the means of that I was my nationality is…I think that's right, my nationality is American and my parents are African. So I think in America they're still not American. Citizenship. Citizens. Citizenship is the right word. Sorry.
A: Even if my parents are in America and their citizenship was American, they were still born in [undistinguishable]. They identify more..[audio cuts out]...to...
M: For me. You're cut out for a long time.
A: Sorry for the connection.
M: You were saying that your parents still see themselves more as Africa and even if they have American citizenship, and then I think you cut out.
A: Yeah. I also want to say that I feel the same way there myself being here in Tanzania. And I feel that, that is how people here also kind of told me to check myself. I am a foreigner. No matter if my parents are born raised here [in America], they don't know that, you know, they just see that my demeanor is a culture is all my customs are all born.
M: What do you mean–
A: When it makes me feel strongly about more of that.
A: I'm sorry.
M: I'm sorry. What do you mean when you said check yourself?
A: That's a funny way to say it. Yeah, I read this. I read this or this book by a loo, by this article, by Aluo, Adjuo. I don't know, Ajoule. I forgot her name, but she was pretty much writing about checking their privilege. So that's why I said check myself. But I think it's a way of check myself as more of like I am more it personally, I feel like I get the vibe that people here want me to realize that. I don't know. Sorry… again.
A: You're good.
M: All right. Thank you.
Maggie (M)
A: I just wanted to clarify that. I was okay.
M: Yeah. So I know you read this, but I just wanted to say again that it's–it's totally voluntary. You can withdraw whenever you want. You don't have to talk about anything you don't want to. It's all. You can also be anonymous if you want. In that case, I'll stop the recording.
M: Yeah. So yeah, you can if you don't want to talk well, you can always just reach out to Liz MacGonagle or Marta if you have any questions and also me. So yeah. Do you have any questions so far?
A: No.
M: Then I’ll stop talking. What did you want to share about your family's story?
A: I felt like you'd be asking you the question.
M: I can ask him more questions…
A: That works. Yeah, I think that works better.
M: So how did your parents end up in Kansas, if they did?
A: So my mom and my dad got married. And then it was my mom's idea to go to America. And she kinda–I have a big story–my mom told my dad that she wanted to be an American. And so she kind of dragged him over to America and he made it there. Yeah.
M: And they're both from Zimbawe?
A: They were both born and raised in them. You know, I haven't asked about that. I can go and ask and then come back to you if you want me to do this again. I really sure I don't.
M: Yeah. It's just when people end up in Kansas instead of like New York or something. I'm just like it's just funny to me, I guess.
A: Good questions, but I will definitely let you know about those.
M: Okay. Um, did growing up–did you feel I guess, how would you identify yourself with that?
A: I think now, in question you're asked and asked myself that question. Yeah. She's like like first grade, I came here to Zanzibar. And that was like the beginning of my memory. I don't really remember much before that.
A: So I kind of identified when I came back to Lawrence, when I was ten, four years later, identified as African. And from Africa has like That was just what I remembered. It wasn't like I was born in America and I went to Africa. Appearance, it's just that I lived in Africa is a big part of who I was.
A: So if somebody asks to, sorry…[silence]...so if somebody asked in class when they ask you to stand up and give a few interesting facts about yourself. I was born and I was raised in Africa, I speak Swahili yeah.
M: Do you think that's changed over time? Instead, he still asked to identify him from African. Yeah, I recognize that once I hit like highschool, all of the people I went to middle school and elementary school with already knew that I spoke.
M: Okay, that's not really my personality factor, like my determining personality trait anymore. So I think when I kinda realized there's more to it than just that trip, I took that well, I mean, it was a long trip–four years.
M: Where do you see a lot of cultural similarities or differences between them? Kansas and Zanzibar?
A: I thought that this morning actually, mainly Islamic religion, culture has like a speaker that plays on their sites and in the morning to pray. So I was thinking about how different that is from being in Kansas and how you would never hear a speaker playing some sort of religious monitor?
M: Yeah.
A: Because it's yeah. Yeah. Very different.
M: I was only in Arusha for eight weeks and Zanzibar for a weekend, but I really liked the culture there just because I don't know. It was kinda soothing and also like this is what time it is.
But yeah, probably wouldn't hear that in Kansas.
A: I always think about how it's so different we're culturally. But I always try to remember that like everybody is a person who all people. So there has to be some similarities there. No matter if I'm in Kansas or in here in Zanzibar.
A: So it's kind of a big thing I tend to think about is what exactly is different. Like, obviously the language is different. Language comes with so much. So it's very hard to kind of learn about what's exactly different in the culture without understanding the language completely?
M: Yeah. How do you think language plays into it?
A: Um, I don't know. It's like kind of when I think about it, it's kinda like thinking of the baby. You talk to babies, really show what you're talking about. So when somebody is speaking to me, I'm not really sure what their undercover meaning, you know. They're talking to a baby because I'm not really sure exactly what you're talking about. I can hear the words and understand somewhere that I'm not really sure what the cultural significance is.
M: Yeah. So does it kinda feel like step away. Your instinct or whatever? When you speak English? Like good.
A: Yeah, definitely. Yeah. I think I'm going to answer it and I hope that's the right answer you're looking for…
M: I’m not looking for an answer…
A: I noticed. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. Just like what your question was.. But when I speak Swahili, I notice that I kind of use an accident. Obviously, I'm speaking Swahili. And I wonder if I know the kind of lost my train of thought there is that you want me to speak English here, I use a different accent.
A: It's kind of I don't know, it's kind of different because just because I'm in Africa and I'm speaking the same language I speak in Kansas. My English is different. How I speak to you right now is a bit different than how I speak to someone who primarily speak, Swahili.
M: That's interesting. Yeah. I yeah. I can see how that could work out. The English I speak with people who are learning English is different.
[silence]
A: I'm so sorry. There's a little birthday party happening.
M: I’m so sorry. I don’t want you to miss a birthday party. Not your birthday party..
A: But they weren't even sure if it was going to happen today is kind of hearing just like sorry, I lost my word. Or they're kind of planning for it to be tomorrow. So it wasn't even. They're just last minute letting me know that it's happening right now.
M: Okay. Well, yeah, we can always come back and do it again if you want to. No pressure.
A: Ummm…I told them to give me 20 minutes.
M: Okay. That works. Okay. Yes. So English, Swahili. You said earlier, you think about how everyone's human. Do you think there are some big similarities that stand out?
A: Yeah. Simple ones like smiling, like a similarities like happiness, like personality wise. I don't know if that's the right word. Like happiness is a common trait. Everybody wants to be happy. I think I should act when I'm in Africa and I'm just thinking I will act happy.
A: Could you repeat the question?
M: If there were any similarity? Yeah. My internet is bad. [long pause] Are you there?
A: Sorry. I think you cut off there. Yeah.
M: Yeah. Okay. Did you think that the way you see the immigration experience is different from the way your parents see it?
A: Do I think the way I see the immigration experience is the same way my parents see it?
M: Or different.
A: Yeah. Sorry. What?
M: Or different? Similarity?
A: I think it's different 100% because they're from Zanzibar.
A: And I was…wait, sorry. So are you asking if I see their experience differently from my experience or if I their experience differently than their experience. Or like if I have a different perspective on how they experienced?
M: Or just the immigration in general.
A: Yeah. Sorry. I still don't get the question.
M: Just like I know it's different because you were born in America, but just like the way you guys have experienced going back-and-forth, how do you think that's similar or different?
A: Yeah. So I think it is different for me and for my parents because they were born here. This is their home, you know, no matter if they are in America. My mom always tells me this is her home and she even told me that this was my home and I kinda rudely told her that this was not my home and that Kansas was my home. Yeah. I had a little attitude there.
A: But since I've been here, I've grown to learn that this is my second home because I'm getting more comfortable being here and I think being here for a year, it's definitely way more significant and impactful than being here for months at a time, like living here and not on vacation.
A: So I think it's different because in the means of that I was my nationality is…I think that's right, my nationality is American and my parents are African. So I think in America they're still not American. Citizenship. Citizens. Citizenship is the right word. Sorry.
A: Even if my parents are in America and their citizenship was American, they were still born in [undistinguishable]. They identify more..[audio cuts out]...to...
M: For me. You're cut out for a long time.
A: Sorry for the connection.
M: You were saying that your parents still see themselves more as Africa and even if they have American citizenship, and then I think you cut out.
A: Yeah. I also want to say that I feel the same way there myself being here in Tanzania. And I feel that, that is how people here also kind of told me to check myself. I am a foreigner. No matter if my parents are born raised here [in America], they don't know that, you know, they just see that my demeanor is a culture is all my customs are all born.
M: What do you mean–
A: When it makes me feel strongly about more of that.
A: I'm sorry.
M: I'm sorry. What do you mean when you said check yourself?
A: That's a funny way to say it. Yeah, I read this. I read this or this book by a loo, by this article, by Aluo, Adjuo. I don't know, Ajoule. I forgot her name, but she was pretty much writing about checking their privilege. So that's why I said check myself. But I think it's a way of check myself as more of like I am more it personally, I feel like I get the vibe that people here want me to realize that. I don't know. Sorry… again.
A: You're good.
M: All right. Thank you.
Interviewer
Maggie Wilcox
Interviewee
Alisha
Language of Interview
English
Format
Audio
City (Region, State) and Country of Origin
Zanzibar
Current City of Residence
Kansas