South Asian History Month
18 Jul 2024
Celebrating South Asian culture
This year marks the fifth anniversary of South Asian Heritage Month in the UK. The celebrations will run from Thursday, 18 July unti Saturday, 17 August, ending on the anniversary of partition.
South Asian Heritage Month highlights the richness in diversity of the South Asian diaspora of people, tracing their communities, histories, cultures, religions and belief, ethnicities, arts, languages etc to several countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Maldives and Indo-Caribbean backgrounds.
Over the coming month events will focus on the theme Free to be me with conversations and events around themes such as identities, connections, and communities.
You can find out more about the diverse communities and their links to the UK and South Asia by visiting the South Asia Gallery at Manchester Museum, which reflects the myriad and nuanced experiences and contributions of south Asian communities from marginalised communities to inspiring female leaders and vibrant sounds, dance, music, and cultures.
Upcoming events
Saturday, 20 July
Nepal Day at Manchester Museum
Come along to our first-ever event celebrating Nepali culture, heritage, and arts. This event, entitled Nepali Everyday Objects and Belongings, is jointly organised by Manchester Nepali Samaj and our South Asia Gallery. It will feature a temporary exhibition of everyday items and artefacts representing Nepal’s regional, cultural, social, religious, and ethnic diversities. It will also include Nepali cultural performances, children-friendly activities, a photo exhibition, and more.
Saturday, 20 July to Sunday, 21 July
Manchester Mela, Free entry
The Whitworth Volunteers and Civic Engagement and Education team will be at Manchester Mega Mela during South Asian Heritage Month.
Join the team throughout the weekend to get involved in arts and craft workshops inspired by the Whitworth’s South Asian textiles collection and our summer exhibition John Lyons Carnivalesque.
Wednesday, 31 July to Wednesday, 21 August
To co-celebrate South Asian Heritage Month and Manchester Pride month, take part in a series of Queer South Asian writing workshop series in the South Asia Gallery Manchester Museum with local writer Clare Ramsaran.
More information
We aim to take an integrated approach that celebrates individuals and their many identities to ensure that we are truly inclusive of all our community. This is set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
• Religion or belief (including no belief);
Support
During South Asian Heritage Month, you may be away from friends and family, University-wide support is available:
• Our Staff Networks are a great way to connect with the wider University community. To find out more email the EDI Team at; equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk;
• Visit our EDI blog - a place where colleagues can share their thoughts and insights related to equality, diversity and inclusion. If you would like to write a post, please email the EDI Team at equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk