Reconnecting with Our Roots: The Vital Significance of Visiting the Homeland and Cultivating a Strong Cultural and Heritage Connection

In the vast tapestry of human history, the Assyrians have long stood as a remarkable civilization. With a rich cultural heritage spanning thousands of years, these ancient people have left an indelible mark on the world.

Nevertheless, political upheavals and forced displacements post genocides have scattered Assyrians across the globe, leading to the emergence of a vibrant Assyrian diaspora. Despite their physical separation, a growing number of Assyrians in the diaspora are embarking on journeys to reconnect with their ancestral homeland, seeking to learn about their culture and heritage first-hand.

Many Assyrians living in distant lands have a strong desire to rediscover their roots and comprehend their heritage. Individuals and families embark on pilgrimages to Assyria, modern-day northern Iraq, north-western Iran, south-eastern Türkiye, and north-eastern Syria to immerse themselves in the land that birthed their culture out of a desire to bridge the gap between their contemporary lives and their ancestors' ancient legacy.

Assyrians from the diaspora are greeted upon their return by the remains of ancient cities and villages, archaeological sites, and artefacts that attest to the beauty of their civilisation. These tangible connections to the past evoke emotion and foster a sense of belonging, allowing individuals to forge a personal bond with their heritage.

In a recent interview, Ashur Kasrani of The Great Kasrani account which documents life in the homeland spoke about the value of visiting the villages that have preserved the Assyrian people's traditional clothing, customs, and cultural heritage and the beauty of experiencing the life in these villages.

“Visiting our villages and seeing our people still holding down the Assyrian way of life is very touching, educational and inspiring and we must continue to maintain it.”

He continues: “Finding your roots, knowing where you came from, is a great start to knowing yourself and your purpose as a human being on earth.”

Here are some of the many reasons why it is so important for young people in the diaspora to travel back to their homeland:

1. The feeling of returning to your native land and reconnecting with the people and environment there can be profound. It's an opportunity to learn more about and appreciate your own background and history as a cultural being.

2. It's a chance to learn about your ancestors and your background. Through studying your family tree, you can gain insight into your ancestors' customs, beliefs, and practices. Discovering your family history can help you grow as a person and give your perspective on where you belong in the world.

3. Seeing and participating in the customs and traditions of your home country is another benefit of travelling back to your roots. By participating in these activities, you can enrich your awareness of your culture's past, present, and future.

4. Finally Taking a trip back home can also help keep traditions alive and thriving. It's important to investigate and document your culture's customs and practices so that they don't get lost in history.

The founder of Here is Assyria page Ninweta Brikha who documents the beauty of the homeland and her experience as a resident there through her page says in an interview: “When young people from the diaspora come to atrā, they gain a deeper understanding of the Assyrian culture and life, which ultimately strengthens our voice in the diaspora as they go back to their country with a unique love for their culture and people and begin advocating for our rights.”

“I encourage all Assyrian youth from the diaspora to visit this land where our forefathers' blood was poured and to stand strong as descendants of those who survived such murders. You will not only learn about the Assyrian way of life on this land, but also how Assyrians lived, suffered, and became martyrs.”

To understand the significance of visiting the homeland, I decided to conduct several interviews with members of the ACSYA Inc. who were born in the diaspora and had visited the homeland. During an interview, Jason Tamou, a London-based ACSYA Inc. member who frequently visits Northern Iraq, discussed his impressions and feelings regarding the trip, “There's something that pulls me back to atrā and makes me want to go more often... going back fuels a passion and love for my culture.”

“It's crucial for our Diaspora youth to go back. It's imperative for the future of our nation and our people” he continues.

Another member of the ACSYA Inc. based in Sydney, Anton Roberts also highlights on his trip “I have come back so refreshed and regenerated in all aspects whether emotionally, spiritually and in regards to my Ūmtanāyūthā (Nationalism) and Tishmishyāthā (Services)... The feelings of disorientation and confusion upon my abrupt return home and back home. It can be really difficult to explain to people but I almost to some degree feel as if I don't fit into this society as much as I used to before I visited atrā.”

Stephanie Basdekis, Vice President of the ACSYA Inc., states “I experienced a whirlwind of emotions since coming back to my home country. The profound sense of surrealism and awe I felt upon setting foot in Assyria for the first time still lingers within me.”

She continues, “The trip to atrā allowed me to revive the footsteps of my forefathers and connect with our indigenous land. A connection that I soon realised was always there, lying dormant, waiting to be reignited. Most importantly, my time in atrā enabled me to form lifelong connections with the Assyrian people who still reside there. Through these interactions, the journey I embarked upon continues to unfold, as I strive to deepen my understanding of our culture, history, and shared experiences. The impact of this visit has left an indelible mark on me, propelling me to be an active participant in preserving and promoting our Assyrian heritage, both within my home country and across the diaspora.”

Finally, an ACSYA Inc. member based in New Zealand, Audesia Adam articulates, “No matter how many events we host in the diaspora, no matter how hard we work towards a common goal and how broad we imagine our understanding of our identity to be, it is never complete without experiencing life back home.”

“This kind of love and understanding comes from the ability to see the remnants of our ancient artifacts and history, to touch the cuneiform our ancestors carved into the earth, to speak our language freely and to see it written cross signs and billboards, to see little Assyrian children speaking and reading Syriac (and doing algebra!) with pride and knowing you have walked the same trails as your forefathers once did. The trips create a special and unique relationship with the land and its people and is a birthright for every single Assyrian.”

Are you hesitant to travel to Northern Iraq by yourself? Listed below are organisations and churches that organise visits to the homeland.

Assyrian Aid Society (America and Iraq) collaborated and planned their first ever trip to Northern Iraq this April: Click here

Gishru trips are planned annually around April to celebrate the Assyrian New Year (Akitu) in the homeland: Website link: Click here

The Assyrian Church of the East is currently planning a pilgrimage and a youth conference on August 5-12. Registration form: Click here