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It would be difficult and strange of me to proceed with a history of Pakistani migrants in Watford without mentioning my very own family, so please do enjoy the following photographs, objects, and audio snippets. (Some details such as names and specific dates have been anonymised as and when requested by the people mentioned/photographed.)

My Family

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Nana

(Maternal) grandfather

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Ummi

Mother

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Maamu

(Maternal) uncle

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Nani

(Maternal) grandmother

Oral History Interviews

 

Now you have time to give your eyes a little break...

 

Up next are a series of oral history snippets from a brief interview with my Ummi jee who migrated to Watford when she was just 6 years old in 1975. I won’t delve in too much about her story, as the audio recordings should speak for themselves. They should give you an insight into my Ummi's childhood and early experiences as a migrant, whilst recreating the type of family stories I grew up hearing as a child (as did most of us I'm sure). Oral histories are particularly important in South Asian cultures, as many of our stories and traditions have been passed down across generations through speaking and conversation, as opposed to through writing history down. So, if you're a bit forgetful like me, you better hit those record buttons or get the pen and paper out the next time the family party gets nostalgic!

1. Nana and Migrating to England
00:00 / 00:50
2. First Day at Primary School
00:00 / 01:32
3. School Uniform
00:00 / 00:16
4. Secondary School
00:00 / 00:26
5. Discrimination and Accent Prejudice at School
00:00 / 00:43
6. Women’s Jobs
00:00 / 01:24
7. Nani
00:00 / 00:45

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Shalwar

Kameez

Traditional outfit worn by men and women across South Asia, typically consisting of loose-fitting trousers and a tunic/long top.

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Beti

Daughter

(endearing term)

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Khala

(Maternal) aunt

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