A common feature of all human histories is migration. Though the phenomenon

is as old as humanity itself, the pace has been accelerated in the twenty-first

century by the significant developments witnessed in the domains of transport

and communication.

These developments naturally imply the coming together of the local and

the foreign, of 'here' and 'there' and ultimately of the 'known' self and the

unknown 'other'. Furthermore, migration is not only made easier and more

desirable as a result, but actually becomes inevitable. This is because movement

of the individual itself becomes unnecessary; the 'there' is set compellingly

against the 'here'. The result of this movement and counter-movement is a

world in constant, and growing flux and transnationness.

The migration of individuals implies the migration of cultures. Cultural

migration produces transitional and transnational identities. This transnationness

itself is not a state, but rather a stage in a seemingly interminable

process of 'becoming'.