Comorian Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

The Comoros is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, between Mozambique and Madagascar. It is known as the perfume islands for its ylang-ylang, vanilla and cloves. Comorian, Arabic and French are official languages. Comorians in Britain include students and families.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 10,239 people living in the city had been born in Southern and Eastern African countries other than Kenya, Somalia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, a group that includes Comoros.

Working for Birmingham

Comorian residents study and work in fields such as healthcare, hospitality, education and trade. Many are multilingual, speaking Comorian, French and Arabic, and their language skills are valued in interpreting and community work.

Much of the work that keeps Birmingham moving happens out of sight: the night shift on a hospital ward, the early start on a building site, the plumber who fixes a boiler on a winter evening, the teaching assistant who helps a child learn to read. People from every community in the city do these jobs, and Comorian residents are part of that everyday effort to make Birmingham a better place to live.

Culture and community life

The grand mariage, an elaborate wedding celebration, is one of the most important events in Comorian life. Eid is the highlight of the year, and dishes made with fish, coconut, cassava and rice are family favourites. Comorian music blends African, Arab and French influences.

Birmingham's strength lies in its variety, and the Comorian community is a welcome part of it. As the city continues to grow and change, that contribution will remain part of the story of a place that has always looked forward.