Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka all make up one of the oldest inhabited regions in the world: South Asia. This area is known for its food, festivities and faith. However, preserving these practices differs from one individual to another.
Food is a big part of South Asian culture that tends to stay with a person no matter what area they now call home. The region is known for its bold flavors and a variety of spices.
Senior Rahul Gajula is a part of the Telugu culture which is in south India. This particular area is more tropical than other places in the country, which is highlighted in their food.
“I’ve always been exposed to Indian food with cane sugar, coconut and seafood, which is not always as common in other areas. My family still prepares dishes with these flavors in them for special occasions,” Gajula said.
Senior parent Nell Posmer is from Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean. The main sources of food on the island are rice and curries that are made from coconut milk.
“Of course I miss the food from home but I enjoy calling my family and hearing about what dishes they have been making. But as for having these dishes in America, there are not many options near us to try them. The restaurants I have found that I really like are in New York and California, so whenever I am there I like to stop by for some authentic Sri Lanka food,” Posmer said.
Posmer also highlights that some traditions have unconsciously stuck with her.
“I still to this day use a more Sri Lankan way of doing things without even knowing. For instance if anybody were to get sick I would make ginger, turmeric, lemon and honey tea,” Posmer said.
Additionally senior Diya Alex reflects on how she preserves her Kerala culture.
“We cook a lot of Indian food at home. My friends even enjoy the biryani that my dad makes,” Alex said.
Some may say that certain foods can make any place feel like home. A comforting dish evokes a nostalgic feeling and allows people to preserve aspects of their culture.
South Asia is also full of different types of festivities: holidays, sports and entertainment. Every area of this region has their own celebrations but they are all important to each individual.
Posmer reveals some festivities that are special to her.
“We celebrate New Year on April 13 and 14. So obviously I would talk to not only my immediate family but my extended family as well over the phone. I love hearing about how they are preparing for the holiday because when I was back at home it would take days to prepare since it was such a big event,” Posmer said.
Alex also shares a festival that is important to her culture.
“We celebrate something called Onam, which is like a spring festival. The festivities last for ten days and each day different activities are done,” Alex said.
Another aspect that Alex still keeps with her is watching Cricket.
“My parents and I watch Cricket, which is like the biggest sport to watch. Also India just beat New Zealand to win the finals, which was super exciting,” Alex said.
Gajula also shares this enjoyment for the sport.
“My dad and I have always watched Cricket on the TV at most given occasions growing up,” Gajula said.
Sophomore Musa Khan plays Cricket as well.
“My favorite sport is Cricket. We used to play it a lot, but most of my American friends do not even know what it is,” Khan said.
Another activity that Posmer shines light on is gardening.
“Sri Lankans love to garden and we are always outside. I kind of tend to hold on to that out of habit and I have a small garden here. It remind me of how I used to garden with my grandma when I was little,” Posmer said.
Connecting back to one’s culture through fun celebrations or forms of entertainment maintains their identity.
Furthermore, faith and religion are also very essential to this region. There are many different types of religion in the area: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and more.
Posmer highlights certain religious practices that she still carries out.
“I am Buddhist and I still practice Buddhism. When I was back home Vesak and Poson were big events where we would go to the temple and then meditate for almost the whole day. Obviously this is not very practical here, but I do still try and meditate and speak to my family,” Posmer said.
Alex describes a different way of sustaining her religion.
“We go to a Mariani church, which is filled with people from our culture. This allows us to still talk and communicate with people from our culture,” Alex said.
Alex continues by showing her appreciation for the community.
“I like how close together everyone is. You do not have to know the other person because they are always willing to help you no matter what,” Alex said.
Religion provides a feeling of familiarity among a group of people even if they have never met. That common thread makes them feel connected.
Gajula reflects on the community he has found here in America.
“I’ve always appreciated the community found in my culture and being able to find people with shared experiences to me even as far away from India as we are,” Gajula said.
Urdu Translation:
South Asia duniya ke sab se purane abaad ilaqon mein se ek hai. Is mein Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives Nepal, Pakistan aur Sri Lanka shamil hain.
Yeh ilaqa apne khanay, tyoharon aur mazhab ke liye mashoor hai. Lakin in riwayaton ko sambhalna har shakhs ke liye mukhtalid hota hai.
Khana South Asian culture ka bohat hissa hai jo insaan ke saath rehta hai chahe woh kahin bhi chala jaye.
Yeh ilaqa apne tez zayqay aur mukhtalif masalon ke liye jana jata hai.
Rahul Gajula Telugu culture se taluq rakhta hai jo South India mein hai. Yeh ilaqa ziyada tropical hai, jo unke khanay mein bhi nazae aata hai.
“Maine hamesha Indian khanay mein cheeni, coconut aur seafood dekha hai. Mera family ab bhi dawwat par yeh khanay banata hai.”
Nell Posmer Sri Lanka se hain, jo Indian Ocean mein eik island hai. Wahan ka main khana chawal aur coconut kheer se bane hue curries hain.
“Mujhe apna ghar ka khana yaad ata hai, lakin main apni family se baat kar ke khosh hoti hoon. America mein yeh khana milna mushkil hai. Mujhe New York aur California mein kuch achay dukkan milay hain.”
“Main ab bhi Sri Lankan tareeqay se kaam karti hoon. Jaise agar koi beemar ho jaye to main ginger, haldi, lemo aur shahad ki chai banati hoon.”
Diya Alex kehti hain ke woh apni Kerala culture ko kaise sambhalti hain.
“Ham ghar par bhoth Indian khana banate hain. Mere doston ko mere baba ki biryani bhoth pasand hai.”
Kuch loh kehte hain ke khana kisi bhi jagah ko ghar jaisa bana deta hai.
South Asia mein bhoth se tyohar aur celebrations hota hai jasay holidays aur sports.
Posmer kehti hain “Hum 13 aur 14 April ko New Year celebrate karte hain. Main apni family se phone par baat karti hoon aur unki tayariyon ke baare mein suchti hoon.”
Diya Alex kehti hai “Hum Onam celebrate karte hain. Yeh 10 din ka festival hota hai aur har din alag activities hoti hain.”
Uska baad usne bola k “Main aur mera parents Cricket dekhte hain. Yeh bhoth mashoor sport hai.”
Pakistani larka Musa Khan na bola k “Mera favorite sport Cricket hai. Lakin mera angrezi wala doston ko is ke baara mein pata nhi hota hai.”
Posmer na bola “Sri Lankan log gardening pasand karte hain. Main bhi apna chota garden rakhti hoon jo muje apni dadi ki yaad dilata hai.”
Mazhab bhi South Asia mein bhoth important hai. Yahan Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism aur aur bhi religions hai.
Posmer kehti hain “Mein Buddhist hoon aur ab bhi practice karti hoon. Mein aram karta hoon sukoon karti hoon aur apna family se baton har waqt karti hoon.”
Diya Alex kehti hain “Hum church jate hain jahan hamari culture ke log hotay hain. Is se humein apni community se sath feel milta hai.”
Alex na fir bola k “Mujhe pasand hai ke log ek dusre ki madad karte hain chahe woh ek dusre ko jaante ho ya nhi.”
Mazhab logon ko ek dusre se jor deta hai aur unhein connected feel karwata hai.
Rahul kehta hai “Mujhe apni culture ki community pasand hai aur mujhe khoshi hoti hai ke main American main bhi apne jese logon ko pa sakta hoon.”
