Families and Emotions across Space
Families and Emotions across Space

Transnational Kin Relationships, Feelings and Moral Obligations in the Migrations of Gorani from Kosovo

Summary/Abstract: While most studies of transnational processes have been focused on remittances, discussing socio-economic developments or on the transnational citizenship and the political mobilization across the borders, this article aims to explore the role of emotions in the migration experience and more specifically – their place in the negotiation of transnational family-kin life. The author proceeds from the assumption that emotional dynamics are an important part of transnational kin relationships analysis. According to this approach, the focus of the study is put not only on those who leave, but also on those who remain in the villages of origin. Feelings of loss, sadness, longing, pain, guilt, but also expressions of happiness, excitement, gratitude, love, hopefulness etc., are experienced at both ends of the migration chains. Emotional encounters are connected to family expectations and moral obligations, mutual responsibilities and caregiving within dispersed families. These issues are addressed on the base of ethnographic data personally collected by the author among representatives of Gorani from the region of Góra in Kosovo – a community renowned in the Balkans for the decades-long intensive labour mobility which often has involved two or even three generations within a family-kin group. The presented data show that transnational family-kin members may find ways to juggle with time and space, to connect with one another and thus, achieve (virtual and physical) togetherness and to keep up their emotional relationships; viable and active. The tools and strategies used by people are various and include memories, imaginations, gifts and remittances, long-distance communication and mutual visits.

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