It is now five years since the launch of South Asian Heritage Month. This is an annual cultural month which is set aside to commemorate and educate people on all things South Asian. When we talk about things being South Asian, it normally incorporates Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. People who have a cultural heritage from any of these countries usually would have had an ancestor who would have been born there and brought to the UK as part of the Slave Trade. This was where over three million South Asian people were brought as slaves to the UK and forced to do mundane tasks to serve those in power.
If you look through out history, there are lots of elements of South Asian culture with in British culture and has helped to influence the way we live today. There have been many South Asian influences which have helped to influence the way we live today. These include aspects such as their food, clothing, music, words and generally an overall ambiance of our different towns and cities.
When we talk about South Asian Heritage Month, we are talking about an event which first took place in 2020 and runs from 18th July to 17th August. There will be a beautiful and rich display of proud South Asian heritage and culture. This helps to become a form of education for modern day society who might not have any experience or knowledge of how life works in South Asian cultures.
It is extremely important to allow people to share stories of their own cultures and traditions which will help contribute to the diversity of our nation. It will also show how the past has shaped all our different ways of living.
The month begins on 18th July, the date that the Indian Independence Act 1947 gained royal assent from King George VI, and ends on the 17th August, the date that the Radcliffe Line was published in 1947, which finally set out where the border between India, West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) would be.
The start and end dates show just how much of an influence Britain has had on South Asia as a whole over the last few centuries. The dates coincide to a large extent with the South Asian month of Saravan/Sawan, which is the main monsoon month when the region’s habitat undergoes renewal. Having it take place across the two Western calendar months of July and August is entirely apt, as it respects the traditions of the South Asian calendars. This period also includes several independence days connected to South Asian countries.
British India was a region of Asia that included the following present-day countries as British-governed areas or Princely States whose foreign policy was controlled by Britain:
Bangladesh
India
Pakistan
The countries which formed British India gained independence from the British Empire in 1947.
In 1947, East Bengal was a province in Pakistan, and the province became known as East Pakistan in 1955. Bangladesh became a separate country in 1971.
The theme of South Asian Heritage month in 2024 is “Free to Be Me” and the organisers are excited to celebrate the beauty of simply being yourself. There are a number of different aspects which people can look in to and explore their own cultures. These include:
• Identity
• Community
• Gender
• Faith
• Family
• Life choices
• Positive impacts
There are a number of ways in which people can take part in the festivities and improve their knowledge of different communities. These include:
Share Your Story: Find your voice and express your journey through various mediums. Write a blog post, create art, compose music, design fashion, or cook a dish that tells your story, you can always submit your stories to the website directly, or tag us in socials!
Attend Events: Join workshops, panels, and performances. Engage with storytellers, artists, and community leaders who share their experiences and insights.
Connect with Others: Join discussions and forums to engage with fellow community members. Share your experiences and learn from others who have walked similar paths, the more we share, the more we understand the bridges between our vibrant cultures and backgrounds.
Social media: Use hashtags like #FreeToBeMe #southasianheritagemonth to share your story on social media. Connect with a broader audience and celebrate together.
Volunteer: Get involved in organising and supporting events. Your contribution can make a significant difference in creating a vibrant and inclusive celebration. If you’d like to know what’s happening near you, please visit:
