How does a place remember its own past? This was one of the most important aspects that I considered while conducting my interviews in order to understand Kashmiri culture and identity. It appeared to me that, in some cases, memory is not necessarily connected to political aspects or even documentation, but instead might be shared across generations via the activities that we carry out daily.
When talking with my relatives and other members of the Kashmiri diaspora during my interviews, I realised that people rarely discuss Kashmir by touching upon political aspects. Instead, the discussion usually begins from something simple, like, for example, smells of traditional food cooking or the colours of the changing season, festivities spent together as a family, or simply words of the Kashmiri language being spoken.
Therefore, memories are sensory. For example, it can be activated by such a simple thing as a specific recipe that reminds them of some event from their childhood. It can be a photo from the family album, which triggers a story from their past that remained untold for many years. It can be traditional songs or poetry, which inspire one to recall his/her relatives and hometowns.
One more interesting topic that emerged during a number of the conversations is related to the role of language. When mentioning Kashmir, some people said that it is important because their ability to speak the language makes them feel a closer connection with their family history. In contrast, young people who grow up in a multilingual environment and learn how to preserve their cultural background while interacting with others may succeed in navigating different societies.
Moreover, my interest grew concerning the way in which memories are formed over time. This meant that during our interviews, we discussed ways in which individuals of different generations recalled certain locations. Thus, for some people, Kashmir was a particular place with its unique memories, relationships, and experiences, whereas for others it is a location remembered primarily through stories told by relatives, through family photos, and other family narratives.
Thus, even though there were various dissimilarities, the truth is that recalling memories helps preserve continuity throughout any time period. Hence, by mentioning Kashmir on a daily basis, individuals will retain their connection to the Valley regardless of whether they reside there or not.
As I became immersed in these stories, it became clear that memory is not merely a means of preservation; rather, it plays a crucial role in creating new realities. Communities actively seek to recreate ties with their place and history through language, traditions, and family stories.
This is how Valley remembers itself, not by means of memorials and historical records, but through people who continue to tell stories and their history. Every tradition, discussion, or experience forms part of this continuous cultural remembrance process.
Sources:
https://kashmirtimes.com/opinion/comment-articles/language-is-the-core-of-being-kashmiri
https://brighterkashmir.com/kashmiri-diaspora-preserving-identity-beyond-borders