What is South Asian Heritage Month?
South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) was established in 2020 to honour and celebrate South Asian history and culture. It is an opportunity for everyone to appreciate the countries in South Asia and learn new things about their heritage.
South Asia includes the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
SAHM first runs from the 18th of July to the 17th of August every year. Both the start and end dates are significant to this region; 18th July marks the Indian Independence Act 1947 gaining royal assent from King George VI, whilst 17th August marks the date that the Radcliffe Line was published in 1947, which determined where the border between India, West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) would be.
Why is South Asian Heritage Month important?
Along with giving others the chance to learn, people of South Asian heritage can reclaim their history and identity throughout this month by sharing their own tales and experiences.
In fact, this year’s (2023) theme is “Stories to tell”, and there are events across the UK that provide the opportunity for these stories to be told.
Resources & Wider Reading:
The SAHM official website provides more information and details on events happening throughout the month.
Video: A History of Britain and South Asia with Babita Sharma
Article: ‘I had to sneak out of Pakistan to escape the army – then became UK’s youngest mayor’
Video: Diversifying Data 12 – Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month
Article: ‘You have to work twice as hard’: South Asian cricketers on the ongoing battle for equality
Article: ‘How a period of pain and confusion sparked a journey to celebrating my culture’
Video: What does it mean to be a person from South Asian Heritage in Britain today?
Article: South Asian heritage: truth-telling and transformation
Podcast: What kind of South Asian are you?
