A Guide to Embracing Your South Asian Culture

Image credit: Prakhar P. (2021, August 6). NewsGram. Retrieved from NewsGram article

By: Mariyah Khan

Edited by: Lucy

Growing up as a South Asian in a globalized world comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to identity. Navigating between your heritage and external pressures can be overwhelming, but, believe it or not, this conflict can lead to a profound opportunity for growth. Embracing your culture isn’t just about your traditions. It’s understanding how your roots shape your sense of self, belonging, and resilience. When you have both these aspects of Western and Desi culture, it’s something that shouldn’t be concealed. 

To share my experience, during middle school, I would often feel excluded as the only student with Bangladeshi heritage. For example, when I would see my friends talk to their parents in English, I would feel weird speaking in my own language. This is why I then slowly forgot a lot of Bangla vocabulary and started speaking more English. But whenever I was at a Bengali gathering, my aunts would constantly ask me whether or not I could actually speak Bangla. This frequent conversation made me feel like I was disregarding my Bangladeshi heritage, that I was embracing my American nationality more. I often felt embarrassed whenever I would try to communicate with my family, these people who literally share my blood. This eventually caused me to distance myself from my family in America as well as in Bangladesh. But, sooner or later, I realized that these little traits about me weren’t bad or good parts of me; they were aspects that made me who I am. 

Recently, a guest speaker from Bangladesh came to speak at my high school about the history of Bangladeshi food. Listening to her talk, it came to me how little I knew about my home country. With this in mind, I came up to her after the presentation to talk about my own experiences within my Bangladeshi community. She told me that she understood my struggles. And she also told me that these parts of me aren’t anything to be ashamed of, rather, it’s something to be proud of. In that moment, I realized that all I needed was to hear that from someone else, that these parts of my identity were acceptable and what truly made me, me. 

So, I want to tell you: Culture is more than ancestry or geography. It shapes how we perceive the world, connect with others, and define ourselves. South Asian identity is both vast and evolving, being shaped by history, traditions, and modern influences. It is passed down through generations yet constantly adapts as new perspectives reshape its meaning.

For first-generation South Asians, culture is not a rigid inheritance but a daily negotiation. The languages we speak, the food we eat, and the customs we uphold reflect both ancestral traditions and contemporary life in the society we live in. This duality feels like a conflict because there is pressure to preserve heritage while adapting to a changing society.

For those of us that feel a little white washed, it’s okay! You do not have to prove yourself to anyone else. Instead of seeing mixed cultural influences as a struggle, you can see them as a unique asset that enriches personal identity. Acknowledging what matters to you will help you embrace who you are. 

Ask yourself:

• What traditions, languages, or values matter most to me?

• How do my South Asian and non-South Asian influences shape the person I'm becoming?

• How can I find peace in blending both, rather than choosing one over the other?

Embracing your identity isn't about fitting into a mold; it's about feeling at home in your own skin. But, after finding these parts, how do you embody them? 

Understanding your culture begins with a sense of curiosity. You might start by exploring where you come from, the stories that shape your family, and the values that influence your community. You do not need to have all the answers to begin. Even small and consistent steps can help you feel more rooted and confident in your identity. 

• Learn the language: Whether it's your family's native tongue or a dialect spoken by your community, understanding the language can offer a deeper connection to your heritage, your elders, and cultural expressions like music, poetry, and stories.

• Ask questions: Talk to parents, grandparents, or community members about your family's history, customs, and experiences. Their stories are a valuable link to your past and can help you see where you come from in a new light.

• Explore cultural traditions: Celebrate holidays, learn traditional dances, try cultural recipes, or attend local cultural events. These moments of participation can help you feel rooted and proud of your background.

• Consume cultural media: Read books, watch films, or listen to music created by South Asian voices. This allows you to see your culture represented and reflected in creative and empowering ways.

• Join cultural communities: Whether online or in person, connecting with others who share your background can create a space for mutual support, understanding, and pride.

Learning to embrace your culture is a process, not a destination. It's about accepting complexity, asking honest questions, and allowing yourself to grow. Whether you connect through language, art, food, community, or personal reflection, your culture is a meaningful part of your story. But, remember: integrate, don't separate. You don't have to choose between cultures. Try blending elements from both your cultural backgrounds into your daily life in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to you. 

In the end, there is no one right way to embrace where you come from. Your identity belongs to you. Claim it with pride and continue growing as a person.