East Indian Memory Co.

1. How can you contribute?

You can sponsor a project I am working on or help with website costs. Email to learn more.

If you are in the media or work with museums, art galleries or educational institutions, give EIMC a plug, showcase its work, or collaborate.

If you are an EI, let’s chat if you have:

– old lugras, photographs, heirlooms, antiques, houses, etc.

– stories about ancestors that have been a part of major events in Indian or Christian history (eg. if your grandma was part of the Free India Movement, if you knew of a great grand uncle who was the first to migrate to another country, if your neighbour was felicitated by the Pope, etc.)

– unusual family stories and histories (perhaps a grandaunt who never married, and was a strong, independent woman or a grandfather who joined the circus, etc.

– sons, daughters, nieces or nephews who have pursued unusual occupations or live an unusual lifestyle.

These stories will be featured on the Stories page on this website, and the EIMC Instagram.

2. Am I an expert on EI life and culture?

No.

East Indians are a diverse bunch, and culture, traditions, cuisine, customs, etc. differ from group to group and gaon to gaothan. Much of the cultural knowledge that we possess is anecdotal in nature.

Commendable attempts have been made by community historians in the past to preserve our knowledge, but there is still more work to be done. One of EIMC’s research objectives is to help fill the gaps that exist. As such, my research is a work in progress as we are also constantly reshaping our own understanding of the community.

3. This website holds insufficient information. Where can I find more?

If you cannot find something on the EIMC Instagram archives via some handy hashtags, you can have a look at the additional resources shared on the EIMC website.

Still lost? Send an email.