Hidden Heritages in Cambridgeshire
Cross-generational Connections Through Memories
Hidden Heritages in Cambridgeshire was an intergenerational oral history project, in 2022, with diverse South Asian communities from across Cambridgeshire, led by Hadithi C.I.C. It commemorated two anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of South Asian expulsion from Uganda, and the 75th anniversary of partition and independence.
This exciting project was made possible through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
What we did
We trained participants from a range of South Asian backgrounds, aged 15–25 years old, in oral history techniques.
We provided three days of training over the course of six months in Summer/Autumn 2022, alongside a mentorship programme.
Following the initial training, participants used their new skills to interview an elder, capturing and preserving their memories.
We delivered a community and launch event in December 2022, in conjunction with Mill Road Winter Fair, as well as produced a family album brochure and short film, curated by the young people.
Eventually, these important stories were deposited with Cambridgeshire Archives permanently. The catalogue entry can be found here, under Collection Ref. 2601.
Why we did it
We believe that our programme revealed and captured important marginalised histories of migration, that were at risk of disappearing.
At the same time, we equipped South Asian young people with oral history interviewing techniques, helping them develop lifelong skills and empowering them to see themselves as active historians.
The project fostered bonds between generations and among trainee participants, enhancing their wellbeing.
Our Deliverables
Below you can explore the project short film and family album. Both of these were curated by the project trainees, who collected the oral history interviews.
The film and album were produced within the context of the two major 2022 anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the expulsion of the South Asian community from Uganda in 1972, by Idi Amin; and the 75th anniversary of partition and independence. Both are major events for those South Asians that experienced it, their families, yet too for this island nation.
Project Photographs
