Lecturer 1 Department of English and Literary Studies, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State – Nigeria.
[Article History: Received: 09 Jun 2024. Revised: 22 Jul 2024. Accepted: 08 Aug 2024. Published: 22 Aug 2024]
Abstract
Hafsa Zayyan’s We Are All Birds of Uganda (2021) has been interpreted variously as a text on Ugandan history, religion, racism, family relationships, exile, and return migration. While the various interpretations of the text are illuminating, enough has not been done to uncover the vast and complex world of the South Asian Indian culture woven from ancient traditions, diverse languages, and profound spiritualities. This is in terms of foregrounding the enduring allure of its Indigenous culture rooted in enterprising inclinations, sustaining family businesses, strict intra-marriage norms, religion, culinary delights, and family, and community bonds. These are against the background of exiled immigrants living in the West and or returnee Asians of Ugandan origin. This paper employs the Marxist critical theory as a theoretical framework. This is used to examine how economic forces shape society and culture. Furthermore, how this contributes to the inequality and oppression meted out to the South Asian Indian. The paper adopts the descriptive qualitative research design as its methodology. It finds that hard work, wealth accumulation, and loyalty to family ideals remain the enduring legacy of the South Asian Indians irrespective of their places of settlement. The stronghold on its cultural heritage remains a vital source of strength and identity bringing to mind the enduring human spirit in the face of change. Consequently, deviation from these cultural ideals results in broken family bonds, frustration, and feelings of alienation.
Keywords: South Asian Indian, culture, family bond, matrimonial taboos, Hafsa Zayyan