Living in Britain, it can often be difficult to maintain your connection with your cultural roots. Dunyā shares various methods to help you familiarise yourself with your heritage.
1. Learn the language of your ancestors
Although it sounds easy to say, learning your mother-tongue allows you to connect with your native country. Speaking the language of your origins will keep you rooted with your identity. And of course, having another language under your belt can open doors to a breadth of opportunities.
2. Cook traditional cuisine
Cultural food is frequently a family treasure. Recipes are passed down from one generation to the next, preserving family ties as well as ancestral and geographical relationships. Dishes can contain a memory for every community, playing a fundamental part in learning about your heritage. Cooking traditional cuisine serves as a channel of appreciation to your self-identity.
3. Read old folk tales
Storytelling for many communities plays a significant role in understanding how a certain culture functions. Through folklore, myths, and legends — reading or listening to these tales can reinforce the values of a specific culture. They act as a primary mechanism for passing enlightening knowledge from one generation to the next, defining the characteristics of groups and often linking to ceremonies or rituals.
4. Call your parents or grandparents
Grandparents are a direct resource of your cultural identity as they have experiences from their own life to tell. Young people and children have a better understanding of who they are and where they came from, as a result of their relationship with their grandparents. One phone call can be beneficial in helping you understand more of your origins and those that came before you.
5. Educate yourself on the history of your motherland
Educating yourself on the history of your origins not only reconnects you with your cultural identity, but also allows you to investigate the legacies you may have received and where they originated from. Knowing your local history will give you a better understanding of how your community mindset has evolved, giving you the context of the norms.
6. Practice cultural rituals
Traditions are an important element of many cultures, and by knowing about them and participating in them, you can maintain your identity while living in Britain. They allow you to create enduring memories with your family and friends, while also providing a sense of belonging and comfort.
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