Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month
There are over five million people of South Asian heritage living in the UK, making up around 7.5% of our population. This month is all about celebrating the rich diversity of culture and traditions among the South Asian community, as well as recognising the achievements and contributions they’ve made.
South Asian countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Afghanistan. There is a huge diversity of traditions, food, music, languages, festivals, religions, and values among these communities. For example, there are many different languages spoken across these countries, and South Asia is the birthplace of four of the world’s religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, with even more religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism also practised. This means different people celebrate a range of different festivals depending on their heritage.
Although South Asians first arrived in the UK as early as the 1600s, the biggest wave of migration was in the late 1940s to 1970s. South Asians moved to the UK for a chance to build a better future for themselves and their families. However they often faced discrimination and barriers to employment, as well as challenges around adapting to a new culture and language. The second generation grew up balancing British culture alongside their family’s traditions, often acting as a cultural or language bridge for their parents. Today, many third generation South Asians have grown up with a strong sense of belonging in Britian, embracing modern British life, while continuing to celebrate their heritage.
The South Asian community have made lots of contributions to the UK over the years, and continue to do so today. For example, South Asians have made a huge impact in health care, arts and entertainment, politics, science and technology, sports, business, and food.
Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month helps recognise the achievements, history, and culture of South Asian people, who are an important part of the UK's diverse population. There’s no single south Asian experience, millions of people have millions of stories which are shaped by their lived experience. By continuing to celebrate diversity, we can help to foster inclusion and create belonging.