Chadean flag-Image from Google
Historical factors
- Chaldeans have been known for many years dating back from Mesopotamia which is current Iraq.
- Chaldeans were typically farmers that generally lived in Tel Kaif or other villages.
- Some who lived in Baghdad and Mosul were business owners, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and hotels.
- Chaldeans were great farmers and businesses owners and are great at math. Men worked hard to make a living for themselves and their families (M. Yaldo, Personal Communication, May 30, 2018).
- The Chaldean population converted to Christianity by Apostle Thomas, while he was on his missionary in the Middle East.
- St. Addai, who is Thomas’ associate, is honored as the Chaldean patron.
- The majority of Chaldeans immigrated to the United States in 1910.
- In 1943 there were about 908 Chaldeans in the Detroit and about 3,000 in 1963 (Sengstock, 2018).
- In 1968 U.S. migration law allowed a large amount of immigrants from Iraq, which increased the population in the U.S.
- Chaldeans left their homes for economic reasons and religious persecution from the Muslim majority.
- The majority of young men escaped to bring their families to the U.S., living with relatives that provided money for passages, provided jobs, and housing.
- In an interview with CNN, Chaldean businessman Mark Arabo explained how violence escalated in Iraq towards Chaldean Catholics.
- "The world hasn't seen an evil like this for generations. There is a park in Mosul, where [ISIS] they actually beheaded children and put their heads on a stick and have them in the park," he explained. "More children are getting beheaded, mothers are getting raped and killed, and fathers are being hung" (Chen, 2014).
- "The world hasn't seen an evil like this for generations. There is a park in Mosul, where [ISIS] they actually beheaded children and put their heads on a stick and have them in the park," he explained. "More children are getting beheaded, mothers are getting raped and killed, and fathers are being hung" (Chen, 2014).
- In 1943 there were about 908 Chaldeans in the Detroit and about 3,000 in 1963 (Sengstock, 2018).
Family Structure and roles
- Chaldean families include immediate family, but also extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) and consist of many children per family.
- Chaldean families pride themselves in helping their family and other families, often offering their homes to refugees.
- This bond includes having multiple generations living in one household, similar to past traditions.
- Men play a dominant role in the family structure.
- The women typically perform domestic tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children.
- This has evolved with present day education and societal norms.
- The majority of Chaldeans married at a young age (14-16) and the spouse was chosen by the parents.
- Today, Chaldeans can date prior to marriage, where as in the past, they were not allowed to and the marriage age has evolved with the times.
- Today, Chaldeans can date prior to marriage, where as in the past, they were not allowed to and the marriage age has evolved with the times.
Food
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Chaldean meal-image from Google
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Language
- Most Chaldeans speak Arabic, Aramaic (Chaldean), or Assyrian (Sengstock, 2018).
- Those that live in the U.S. have learned English through school programs (ESL), family members, and other resources.
- The languages change dialect based on the villages they live in.
Religion
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Image from Google
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Caring for older adults
- Because Chaldean culture values family, caring for elders occurs until death.
- Most parents live with their first born son and his wife.
- It is required to care for aging parents and is looked down upon in the Chaldean community if they do not.
- In modern times, it is a privilege to care for aging parents, which allows the grandparents to care for grandchildren and participate in family activities (C. Yaldo, Personal Communication, May 30, 2018).
Society
- Chaldeans live in a collectivist society.
- Family is their primary unit to survival. Chaldean's focus more on the family rather than the individual (Black, 2014).
- Decisions are made based on family values and the impact it will make on other family members.
- In Iraq, spouses are chosen by the parents, however, in the U.S. that has changed to evolve with societal norms.
- Family is their primary unit to survival. Chaldean's focus more on the family rather than the individual (Black, 2014).
Living situations: Socioeconomic considerations
- Before coming to the U.S., Chaldeans lived in one home with multiple family members, sometimes up to 3 families per home.
- The parents and children typically shared one room and one bed in the home.
- Generally, there was one bathroom to the household.
- Today, multiple families will still live together, especially if they just immigrated.
- This helps save money, provides support, and pools resources.
- This helps save money, provides support, and pools resources.
- The parents and children typically shared one room and one bed in the home.
Healthcare
- Iraq's healthcare is in need of a rebuild since the 2003 invasion.
- There are approximetely 1,185 health centers with doctors and 229 hospitals. (WHO, 2011).
- 96.4% of individual's living in Iraq do not have health insurance (WHO, 2011).
- In the U.S. and Iraq there are resources available for refugees.
- Merci: Medical Emergency Relief for Christians of Iraq. The agency provides humanitarian relief efforts after ISIS forced over 150,000 Christians to leave their homes. They support northern Iraq with health care services such as medications, procedures, and medical supplies.
- MI Bridges program provides refugees in Michigan assistance programs (housing, food, etc) and is a state funded program which assists individuals into the U.S as refugees.
- Refugees Cash assistance is available for eight months after entering the U.S. Employment services however many refugees are unable to find jobs.
- The MI Bridge provides health screenings, foster care services, and job training.
Below is a well known Youtube video of the Chaldean culture. This video provides a glimpse into the Chaldean culture including their faith, traditions, the history, and how they came to the U.S.