Paper short abstract:

Somali childhood in the 1990s is examined in the light of contested ethnic and clan membership. The complexities of returning to Somalia under pressure to repatriate are elucidated through the dynamics of repatriation, development aid and personal responsibilities vis-à-vis one's place of origin.

Paper long abstract:

The present article proposes to gain new knowledge about the contested Somali childhood in 1990`s as a resourceful experience especially in the light of ethnic and clan membership in and out side Somalia. The aim is to highlight the very complex idea of returning to country of Somalia in the context of growing pressure of repatriation. The article will address the dynamics and strategies of repatriation, development aid and personal responsibilities vis-à-vis one's place of origin.

It is argued, that multi-temporal processes and time-spanning identifications have been highly neglected aspect in research on diasporas and development. Consequently the article focuses on the relations between circulations of displaced children, childhoods in exile,later repatriation and the process of development and state reconstruction. It is suggested to introduce an agency-oriented ethnographic work on these issues. This is based on contemporary anthropological insights regarding the place, culture and mobilities and cultural capital. The article includes analysis of various forms of

resources regarding the dynamics of Somali male repatriation and transnational family affairs.