I Am Starting To Embrace My South Indian Heritage

Growing up in Indonesia with Indian heritage is not that common and sometimes it can be hard to navigate around the mixed culture and traditions on a daily basis.

Being an Indian Outside of India

It was even harder when I was much younger when globalization wasn’t a thing yet. Being different was not cool, just plain weird.

I had plenty of bad memories of people regularly pointing out or singing to me on the streets. With time, I have hardened my exterior and gotten used to the catcalls, which was wrong because it wasn’t my fault. I should have felt safe and accepted in the place where I was born and brought up in.

That was why moving to Singapore felt good. There, I was just another Indian. One of the hundred thousand Indians there.  An average Jane, almost invisible. Living as an immigrant in Singapore also nudged me to embrace my Indian heritage, because being an Indian in Singapore is celebrated. Though to what extent is somewhat debatable.

My Indian Heritage

During the same time, I also started to get curious about my roots. More so because although I look Indian, I am not as Indian-looking as my cousins. Also, my parents always joke that they might have taken the wrong baby from the hospital, which I know is impossible as there wouldn’t be another curly-hair-brown-skinned baby born in that small fisherman village, on that day.

Eventually, I took the matter into my own hands and decided to submit a sample of my DNA to the My Heritage website. I swapped my cheeks CSI-style and sent it to them, fully aware they can put me on trial if I commit a crime in the future.

Weeks later, they came back with the result.

I am 100% South Asian

That’s it. Not a drop of wherever I thought I must have gotten this not-so-Indian-looking face from.

From what I have read so far when other people take the test, they discover they are 10% this or a 1/16 that. So it’s a little weird seeing myself as a pureblood South Asian and that when I have kids they will be too.

South Asia, even South India, is pretty diverse. I could be a Tamilan, Hyderabadi, Goan or Malayali. But knowing only the Tamil language, I don’t need to get deeper into the heritage kit to point out my Tamilian-ness. That, and my love for Rajinikanth, the Tamil Superstar, would have proven it without a doubt.

Exploring My Indian Heritage

I have been to India twice. First, to Hyderabad, where I fell in love with Hyderabadi Biryani and Goa where I fell in love with their seaside seafood feast. I will be visiting India again next year. This time it’s going to be a trip to Kerala to meet my in-laws. I plan to explore more and get even closer to my Indian heritage. Maybe this time I will feel the inherent connections with India. But, maybe I won’t. Maybe home for me will always be Japan, no matter what my race is or where was I born in.

If you are curious about your origin or have a questionable family tree, why not trace your heritage?

Even the cotton swabbing itself is a thrill! The result might not be what you expected, but at least it will give you some clarity.

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