These are our roots………this is where we came from
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awarded a grant of £49,700 to Smethwick Bangladeshi Youth Forum to spend on this innovative project detailing the migration and experiences of settlement of the Bangladeshi community in Sandwell.
In response to one of the re-occurring needs of the community, SBYF developed a project centralised to aspects concerning Bangladeshi history, culture and heritage.
The project provides information and education to the wider communities of Sandwell and the Bangladeshi Diaspora about Bangladeshi history, culture and heritage. The key themes and events focused upon include the Language Movement concentrating on the instrumental campaign at Birmingham Digbeth, the Voucher System, migration and the experiences of settlement. By exploring these themes, the project sought to inform and enhance communities understanding of Bangladeshi heritage and challenge stereotypes and negative perceptions of Bangladeshi identity. Furthermore, the project examined the struggles and effects of the patterns of migration and how this has contributed to the rich multi ethnic contemporary British society we live in today. The heritage items developed as a result of initiating this project include:
Oral histories
This involved recording narratives detailing the life experiences of mostly second generation settlers within Sandwell. The areas of discussion reflected first impressions on arrival, setllement in homes, social life, employment, marriage, community develpment and the struggle to practice and preserve cultures and habbits ingrained in early migrants personalities
A photographic exhibition
This is a visual display chronicaling the stages of change the Bangladeshi community experienced through each decade allowing idividuals to witness the impact migration and settlemnt has had on shaping people and communities.
Bangladeshi artefacts display
The artefacts were delecatly produced by artists commissioned by the Asha Project a Tipton based women’s organisation headed by Councillor Sayeda Khatun. These artefacts portray key practices and aspects of Bangladeshi culture and life.
A heritage website
This websitre not only promotes the project and preserves the heritage irtems developed within this project but is also a fundamental community resource allowing unlimited access to all communities local, regional, national and international.
A graffitti wall artpiece
This involved comsissioning an artist to work in collaboration with the young people of North Smethwick in creating an interprative peice of work encapsulating the essence, meaning and significance this project and the issue of idenity holds for young people.
A Book
A concise comprehensive reader friendly account of the history and beginnings of Bangladesh. The book depicts key historical events that had a strong political and social impact on the Bangladeshi community. This compromises of the Language Movement, the voucher system, popular areas of settlement in UK, exploring, and recording the determinants of settlements.
SBYF engaged members of the community cohort to actively participate in the planning, co-oordinating and delivery of this project.
The project culminated with a Launch Event at the Public Venue in West Bromwich.
The heritage project aspires to increase social solidity and greater social solidarity, fostering better community dialogue and leading greater community cohesion across all faiths and cultures.
The project activities were crucial elements in ensuring that all communities have access to recognise, explore, understand, celebrate and enjoy our diverse Heritage. Whilst, being instrumental in fostering better community dialogue, thus increasing social interaction, cohesion and solidarity.
