Oral History Interview with Meera Dattani

Описание: “Who am I?” – From EXODUS to today’s Britain

Videography: Rolf Killius

Summary :
Meera Dattani, a travel journalist and editor, discusses her family's migration from East Africa to the UK following Idi Amin's decree in 1972. Her grandparents, originally from Gujarat, India, established businesses in Uganda. Dattani's father, who attended boarding school in Surrey, feels more British, while her mother's side is more connected to Uganda. Dattani identifies as British Indian and feels at home in Britain, Uganda, and India. She emphasizes the importance of understanding colonial history to foster better societal understanding and pride in multiculturalism. Dattani also highlights ongoing issues in East Africa, such as land ownership and poverty.

Mukul and Ghetto Tigers undertakes an oral history project supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund which explores the question ‘Who am I?’ raised by second generation immigrant children whose parents left pre partition India during colonial times and settled in other parts of the British empire including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania. The project investigates what it means for young British Asians growing up in a system with a colonial legacy and explores how the past horrible historic events experienced by their parents and grandparents still affect the lives of young people.
The project relates to the historical dimension, the colonial set-up in East Africa before the 1970s to the socio-cultural situation of young people with diverse cultural background in today’s UK. Through the viewpoint of a new generation, it investigates questions of ‘identity’ and ‘heritage’.