A joint project of:

Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service
(LIRS)
www.lirs.org

and


United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops/
Migration and
Refugee Services
(USCCB/MRS)
www.usccb.org/mrs

BRYCS
888.572.6500
info@brycs.org

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Somali Bantu Refugees: Cultural Considerations for Social Service Providers

“The Somali Bantu are a recently arrived group of refugees with a history of severe oppression and discrimination in their native Somalia. Most are from rural farming backgrounds, while some may have worked as mechanics, drivers, or manual laborers in local cities. Virtually all have limited exposure to Western cultures and lifestyles. Although they are learning quickly about the U.S., the process of acculturation typically takes years. It is critically important for child welfare and other service providers to be aware of this group’s cultural background to avoid unnecessary interventions and to make needed services as effective as possible. Traditional medical practices that leave cuts, burns, and scars can easily be misinterpreted as abuse. The traditional practice of allowing children to play outdoors without parental supervision can easily be misinterpreted as intentional neglect (the entire community raises the child in rural Somalia).” Read on for more information and for helpful suggestions for working with these refugees.

See the full text of this important new BRYCS resource, Somali Bantu Refugees: Cultural Considerations for Social Service Providers. To view the slide show presentation presented by BRYCS at the recent Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) conference, click here.  These publications are available on the BRYCS Publications page, along with other resources developed by BRYCS, LIRS, USCCB/MRS and others.