For five weeks I spent my time 7,000 miles away in the north of India surrounded by my family and submerged in my culture. Throughout my time there, I learned a lot about my roots and was able to completely take in my own culture. This was extremely important to me because as someone who was not born in India, I have always felt a sort of disconnect from my heritage. I can speak the language but I might never understand the true meaning of Punjabi culture. So while there, I took my time to really observe and take in all the little aspects of Punjab.
Waking to the noise of birds flocking around and the echoing noises of the morning prayers being read in the Sikh temples in the distance, although took some getting used to, were ultimately beautiful and something I have realized since being back I took for granted. However my favourite part of the day were the sunsets I watched from the rooftop of my family’s farmhouse. I hope I have the privilege of never forgetting the orange and pink sunsets in contrast with the green crop below.
The highlight of the trip was my cousin’s wedding, an event my family had been preparing for months. Punjabi weddings are multiple events spanning over a week. In that week, I learned a lot about the true inner workings of a Punjabi wedding. Weddings are done more traditionally in India than they are in America. There are a lot more little traditions and even superstitions that go into it. One of the ones I found most amusing was that my cousin was not allowed to leave the house in the days leading up to the wedding as it is perceived as a bad omen, something that I had never heard of. These little differences really made the wedding experience more entertaining.
The trip really helped me feel more connected to my culture and individual identity. Seeing the house my dad built on the land he used to farm was an experience that I will forever hold very dear to my heart.
Although I had some uncertainty before leaving, when I got there I really fell in love with all of the small aspects that make Punjab, Punjab. The loud horns, the constant hustle and bustle of the city, and the traffic for no evident reason. Through it all I took time to focus on the beautiful mountains on my drive from city to city and the rows and rows of farmland filled with crops I had never seen before. I will forever cherish the laughter and conversation I shared with my family and I truly hope I am able to go and visit again soon.