The festivals hold significance in everyone’s life, even for those who don’t believe or practice religion; the celebration of customs and rituals plays a crucial role.
Our family is one that is not religious but is all about celebration. Diwali is one such festival for us. When we moved to a very English Irish town, unaware of much, we prioritized a good school district and affordable housing. Little did we know that raising children in a non-diverse town would be challenging. Although a few Indian families moved in, we still struggled with the feeling of "not belonging."
During one Diwali season, I decided to invite my non-Indian neighbors and my son’s teachers.
I became an introduction to everything Indian, from food and language to sarees, customs, and culture. Beyond the rituals and religious aspects, we focused on the glamorous part – the food, fun, small firecrackers, sparklers, sweets, decorations, and clothing. The guests embraced the traditions year after year, with some even starting to wear Indian attire.
Now, our town is different. Many more Indian families have moved in. The town council and library celebrate Diwali, and schools undertake projects and presentations about it.
I still celebrate Diwali and absolutely love it.
How do you connect your family and friends to your culture?
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