How do i PRESERVE my culture for generations to come?

Question

Ok, so i am second-generation Indian. My parents were immigrants from India, and although i was born here, i feel like i need to learn everything about my culture. For example, my parents tongue is urdu, and although i can speak it and understand it, im still not very fluent. And think about it, if i don't learn the language, my kids will grow up on english ONLY. So i need to learn how to speak urdu, learn to cook all those foods (tandoori chicken, naan, lol, yumm) and as dumb as it sounds.. I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO WEAR SLAWAAR-KAMEEZE BY MYSELF..but how?

Should i go back and live in India for a couple years of my life when i grow up, or just take urdu classes? I don't want to lose my culture. But, honestly speaking, how do i preserve it?

Answer 1

it has to come from the heart. you have communities here in the us, that can help you. talk to relatives and keep a diary of your mom and dads stories, if grandma is around ask her for stories recipes and advice. where there is a will there is a way.

Answer 2

traveling later to india for the summer could be a good idea, but for now you can go to the library and read some books on india ,and if you see something interesting and u want to learn more about it ask your parents.
as for learning to speaka urdu fluently , just practice spending more time speaking urdu with your parents and family. and later you can work on it more if you travel to india...

also, find indian friends in your area, they'll help you so much...

good luck.. you need to preserve your culture, because if it's lost, your children will not have the full experience of being both americans and indians at the same time.

Answer 3

First of all, let me congratulate you for believing in your culture and has the ardous desire to preserve it in the coming generations. You know, your spirit of acquiring the knowledge of your people is the biggest impact on your quest. I think you just have to follow your desire and do the best of your ability to learn your culture again and transfer it to your children's children. You have the tool. The free one...the internet... go and research...plus, if you can afford to attend classes, do so. Just follow your desire and your goal and you will succeed. Good-luck

Answer 4

it's good that you want to preserve your culture. you could visit India, but not have to live there. or find someone else from that area that lives near you and can help you learn things. are your parents still alive? could they teach you? read all you can about your heritage so you learn it. then do it to remember it better.

Answer 5

It's a good idea to continue in cultural events. It's not imperative to continue speaking your ethnic tongue to perserve your heritage. I am Italian, I still speak it, my children have been exposed to the culture and love it. We have been to Italy 3x and they want to go back. The idea here then is that you need to be culturally aware, being sensitive to events, people, and places. Good question.

Answer 6

that is up to you. it is good to speak the language of the country if anything out of respect. if you go to the country it would be good to be able to speak the language. and to know the culture so you can pass it down to your children

Answer 7

i would suggest you take classes now and later go to India for about 3 years.

Answer 8

Yeh man go back to the homeland and then you'll come back well and truly fresh.
Shouldn't be too hard to get preserve culture now eh?

Answer 9

salam sis...im like u i don't speck what my parents speck very fluently so ask them...how do u say this and things i know it can kind embarrasing but it is better to ask! good luck!!!!

Answer 10

just just go to india and dont come back
your british learn about british culture