Migration and Identity Quest in Chika Unigwe’s On the Black Sister’s Street

Abstract

Migration is a recurring theme in African literature, as it sheds light on the economic and socio-political struggles faced by the continent. This study focuses on Chika Unigwe's novel, On Black Sisters' Street, using postcolonial theory to analyze migration and identity formation. The novel is selected purposefully for its exploration of postcolonialism, migration, and the quest for identity. The research delves into the experiences of African migrants in both their home countries and their new community in Belgium, with a specific focus on four women. These women have endured horrific experiences in Africa and seek a better life abroad, ultimately becoming prostitutes in Belgium. Despite their new profession, they view their lives in Belgium as an improvement over the hardships of war, violence, betrayal, unemployment, and poverty in Africa. Migration from Africa is driven by these unfavorable conditions, and upon arriving in the diaspora, African immigrants face significant challenges, including the need to adapt to their new lives. Consequently, their cultural identity undergoes manipulation, subjugation, and synthesis, leading to the formation of a new identity. They undergo assimilation and transformative experiences. However, some migrants may also return to their home countries due to their inability to fully navigate life in the receiving community.