History of Somali Bantus in Maine facts for kids

The Bantus are a group of people from Somalia. A good number of them live in Maine, in the United States. In 2012, about 1,000 Bantus lived in Lewiston.

History of the Somali Bantus

A Bantu woman in Lewiston.

The Bantus are a smaller group of people in Somalia. Most people in Somalia are ethnic Somalis. The Bantus are descendants of people who were brought to Somalia in the 1800s. These people came from areas that are now Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique. They were forced to move and work in Somalia.

Bantus are different from Somalis in their background, looks, and culture. They have often been treated differently since they arrived in Somalia.

In 1991, the government in Somalia fell apart. This started the Somali Civil War. During this war, many Bantus were forced to leave their homes. Different armed groups of Somali clans made them leave. Bantus were easy targets for attacks and theft because they looked different and had few weapons. Thousands of Bantus escaped to safe places called refugee camps in nearby Kenya.

In 2000, the United States decided to help the Bantu refugees. They planned to move about 12,000 Bantu refugees to different cities across the U.S. Many of the first Bantus arrived in Clarkston, Georgia. This city is close to Atlanta. However, they were often sent to areas with low rent and poverty. So, many Bantus started looking for new places to live in the U.S., including Maine.

In 2006, a study by KPMG International said Lewiston was a great place for businesses. It was ranked the best in New England.

In June 2011, the Lewiston Sun Journal newspaper reported good news. More Bantu immigrants were earning high school diplomas. Also, more were enrolling in local community colleges. These students included adults going back to school and recent high school graduates.

Bantu Community in Lewiston

About 1,000 Bantu immigrants lived in Lewiston in 2012.

The Somali Bantu Community Mutual Assistance Association of Lewiston/Auburn Maine (SBCMALA) helps the local Bantu community. This group focuses on finding homes, jobs, and helping with reading and school. They also help with health and safety. The association even runs a farming program for Bantus living there.