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How Bissau-Guinean Woman In Britain Are Navigating Integration & Tradition In Britain

Upon arriving in the UK from Portugal, in my late teens, my thoughts as I stepped out of my brother’s flat repeatedly focused on how privileged I was to be around so many diverse realities. From the different communities and multiculturalism to the various gastronomies and languages, I quickly realised that the ‘big world’ I used to live in was quite the bubble, and that right there and then, I was being introduced to nations and customs without crossing British borders.

Eventually, as I settled and immersed myself within the Black British community, I also dove deep into a journey that would not only change how I saw things but also how I saw myself. This journey entailed pushing myself and seeking safety and comfort within the Luso-African community, particularly the Bissau-Guinean community around me. Having the ability to meet fellow Bissau-Guinean women and share the weight of migration made the journey softer.