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Before
we can begin to retrace the historical path of many of these people,
especially those who came to Gloucestershire, we must first establish
that many were not immigrants but were serving as merchant seamen.
Many
of these people were born under British rule and therefore did not
migrate through choice. Instead, as a nation governed by the British,
they were asked to represent what was considered as the 'Mother
Country'.
During
the Second World War, 48 countries had joined forces with Britain,
for Britain. A large proportion of these men were from Bangladesh.
Considering
the contribution of these men in war, it is sad to reflect at the
way in which they were soon afterwards merely looked upon in the
wider community as anonymous Asians.
Many
however are heroes within their own communities with tales of courage
and their hopes for a country they once believed was a nation with
equal claim to a land they had fought for.
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Bangladesh
achieved independence in 1971 but the new nation had a bloody
birth
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As
communities of Bangladeshi people grew in size, it was not just
the veteran seamen that they had tales of adventure to tell. Every
Asian living in these ever-expanding communities has shared experiences
most of which are unique journeys which are untold to the wider
community.
Our
Untold Stories tries to uncover some of these tales, uncovering
the reason why so many people from Bangladesh came to Britain and
what they found on arrival.
Was
Britain all that was expected of it? Undoubtedly a readjustment
to new surroundings was to be anticipated, but nothing new to
the many who had knowledge of the differences between religion,
language and so on. What was not expected was the bigotry faced
by new settlers. |
| Our
Untold Stories |
Was
Britain all that was expected of it? Undoubtedly a readjustment
to new surroundings was to be anticipated, but nothing new to the
many who had knowledge of the differences between religion, language
and so on.
What
was not expected was the bigotry faced by new settlers. As the number
of migrants grew, followers of racist organisations also grew at
an alarming rate.
Our
Untold Stories uncovers some of the tales of those who have traveled
across seas, with journeys and experiences to share - a migrant
population that has brought colour and diversity to this country.
Bangladesh,
East Pakistan, was previously part of West Pakistan until the 25
March 1971. The liberation movement was the product of an unrelenting
battle for independence. However the newly-liberated country was
born into chaos and despair, with a collapsing economy and a disrupted
communications system.
The
war which followed the liberation movement left Bangladesh in disarray
and many wondered if this was to be a permanent state of disorder.
Pakistan's
plan to eliminate the intellectuals in East Pakistan had left the
new country without an educated class.
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Sylhet in the north-east of Bangladesh is a fertile tea-growing
area
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All
'subversives' were to be 'taken outside the city' and shot in cold
blood by the Pakistani army. The new-born country was set back further
by a famine from 1973-74. The 'world's 139th country' was declared
a ravaged land.
Sheik
Mujib became President but shortly afterwards he and his family
were murdered in one night. Many leaders followed, following a similar
pattern of assassination.
Research
and interest in Muslim communities did not really start until 1985
when a Muslim presence began to be really established in Britain.
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Rabindranath
Tagore won the Nobel Prize for Literature
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Academics,
social scientists began looking at patterns of migration, culture
and religion. Many of those who contributed or even began the series
of studies which are now used for reference were British Muslim
scholars.
This
highlights how the image of many Asians, especially Bangladeshi
people, is presumed. The
myth is that they all work in the catering industry. However this
a misleading stereotype. Many Asians are working professionals in
diverse fields.
Our
Untold Stories features a number of interviews with people from
Gloucester, reflecting generations of people from Bangladesh as
well as those born and brought up in Britain - many of whom would
resist a career in the restaurant business as unstable and unsatisfactory.
The
arts play an important role across the boundaries of Bangladesh.
The arts, including dance, fine art and poetry, all reflect
a passion for the country's history.
|
| Our
Untold Stories |
Before
we begin our journey into the history of Bangladeshi settlers in
Gloucester it is important to mention the lack of information about
such a growing community.
Perhaps
this reflects ignorance or neglected interest on the part of those
in institutional power or, as found on arrival at the records office
in Gloucester, the lack of information provided by people from the
Bangladeshi community.
Many
of the Bangladeshi settlers in Gloucestershire are from Sylhet,
a district situated in the north-east corner of Bangladesh. The
Sylhet district is approximately half an hour's journey by air from
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.
The
district is segmented into areas of thick foliage. Towards the east,
especially on high ground, there are mass regions of jungle. The
culture, lifestyle and traditions of this region create a colourful
and diverse land.
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The
arts including dance play an important role in the Bengali
community
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It
is evident that the arts play an important role across the boundaries
of Bangladesh. The arts, including dance, fine art and poetry, all
reflect a passion for the country's history.
Bangladesh
is known notably for its literature. The people of the land believe
they are particularly blessed by the passion in which they write
deep and sensitive poetry. The most well known writers in Bengali
history are Rabindranath Tagore and Nazrul Islam. Both were and
still are, highly respected.
From
the Bangladeshi elite to those who hang their photos up in barber
shops and restaurants, people hold up Tagore as being one of the
most gifted writers in Bangladesh. His books have reached international
awareness. Tagore
won the Nobel Prize for Literature for his book 'Gintanjali' in
1913.
Bangladesh
is known notably for its literature. The people of the land
believe they are particularly blessed by the passion in which
they write deep and sensitive poetry.
|
| Our
Untold Stories |
Music
and dance also plays a captivating role in the arts of Bangladesh.
The
classical music, combined with the fluidity of the dancers was an
artistic form of expression, where the passion of every step and
note, played out a story to those who would watch.
The
music was mainly of a folk origin, which is the traditional style
of music in Bangladesh. Besides this there is classical music, which
is culturally dominated by Indian music.
The
family unit plays an important role within Bangladesh. Often the
family is the foundation for both the social and economic life.
Dependency is placed upon the eldest, whose responsibility is to
care and provide for the others in the family.
The
family will reside in one household and when the son marries the
wife will be brought to his home. The family is the basis from which
the family might socialise. It is a protective and closed circle
where duty, respect and love are key factors.
Traditional
clothing has brought diversity and colour to those who maintained
a form of identity through their clothing in this country - particularly
the women who wear the 'sari'. This
is a long piece of material which is wrapped around the woman's
body and fashioned as an elegant dress.
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Scenes
from a Bengali wedding. The groom sits with the men during
the vows while the bride sits with the women. They only sit
together after the acceptance
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The
six-foot long material is worn by women from all backgrounds as
daily wear, business and evening wear. The many different designs
and colours are never-ending.
The
phenomenon of this flattering style of dress was documented in an
article in the local Gloucester newspaper under the headline: "It's
Kind To Every Figure". The article from 1955 describes the costume
as being worn by the 'ladies of the East'. It describes the first
sight of a sari worn at a formal dinner by an Asian doctor from
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
As
many of the men from the East have adapted to Westernised clothing,
the majority of the women have chosen to remain loyal to the
sari.
|
| Our
Untold Stories |
As
many of the men from the East have adapted to Westernised clothing,
the majority of the women have chosen to remain loyal to the sari.
Those
from Sylhet are very proud of their heritage. They speak in Sylheti.
Many of those who had arrived in the earlier years of migration
had come with business proposals, many of which were directed towards
establishing restaurants within Gloucester city centre.
These
people, many of which were men, had come alone in order to earn
money to give their families back home a better life. They came
with a passport and a work permit but found a lack of jobs and security.
In
1965, the British government sent five delegates to Sylhet to gain
a better understanding of the new arrivals who were scattered around
parts of Britain. They specifically went to the villages in which
the families of those who were working in Britain remained.
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Bengali
women wear their saris with pride
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The
government then gave permission for these families to join their
husbands. At the time, there were a few Bangladeshi families living
in Barton Street, the majority of the community being from India.
Slowly,
people are recognising the Bangladeshi people for their cultural
traditions, for example the New Year, which is now celebrated
in different schools. |
| Our
Untold Stories |
From
1961-63 Barton Street's Asian population started to expand. However
some of the senior members of the community remember not wanting
to reside in Barton Street as there seemed to be nothing there for
them. The only attraction was that there was an Asian store to buy
food from.
The
Bangladeshi children were part of a minority at the time, in comparison
to now. Communication was also a real problem due to the language
barrier.
In
a positive light, it is important to establish how well Bangladeshi
children are doing in schools today. The pass rates of A Level,
GCSEs and so on are getting better every year. The children are
maintaining their cultural roots by learning their mother tongue
as well.
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Children performing a Bengali drama at Widden Primary School
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Girls
are now following their academic studies with professional jobs,
while maintaining a respect and understanding of the traditions
and cultures of where they came from.
In
Gloucester there is not only a Bangladeshi Men's Association but
also a Bangladeshi Women's Association - the two often working together
to develop understanding and awareness.
Culturally
the community is ever-expanding and developing. If we look back
ten years ago, the Bangladeshi people would not have been recognised
by anyone as a community.
But
slowly, people are recognising the Bangladeshi people for their
cultural traditions, for example the New Year, which is now celebrated
in different schools.
»
See 'Badsha Meah'
»
See 'Amzad Ali'
»
See 'Mohibul Hussain'
»
See 'Mohibur Rahman'
»
See 'Waris Ali'
»
See 'Namder Meah'
»
See 'Haris Ali'
»
See 'Sakina Choudhury'
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