mahjar
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Gualtieri’s exploration of "Syrian melancholia" in the mahjar (diaspora) reflects the dual experience of loss and gain faced by Syrians who migrated to America. This melancholia represents the emotional and cultural dissonance experienced by immigrants as they navigated their new identities and aimed to reconcile their past with their present. Syrians in America often struggled with the loss of their distinct cultural and national identity. Nostalgia for their land, rooted in the rich cultural traditions was difficult to maintain in a foreign land. The myth of Phoenician heritage, employed by some as a tool to craft a noble and ancient immigrant origin, highlights a longing for connection to the past. This mythology, emphasizing their lineage as descendants provided historical pride and continuity, compensating for the sense of disconnection and maintaining cultural distinctiveness in the mahjar. The migration experience also disrupted traditional family structures. Not all women came through chain migration, challenging the male-dominated migration narrative. however, the economic opportunities were a primary motivator for Syrians’ migration, shaping their American experience. The "rags to riches" narrative became emblematic within the Syrian community, echoing the ancient Phoenician trader’s story of commercial success. Many Syrians became peddlers and store owners, integrating into the American economy and laying a foundation for their descendants. Migration also led to a redefinition of social roles, particularly for women. Stories of widowed or independently migrating women took on new responsibilities and contributed to their community's economic and social fabric. This shift signified a gain in autonomy and set a precedent for more diverse roles within the Syrian American experience.