Honoring South Asian Cultures With South Asian Heritage Month

South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) was officially established in 2020 to celebrate the significant impact and contributions of South Asian countries and their people. Held annually, South Asian This Month can play a vital role in validating and amplifying the experiences of communities worldwide, preserving the rich history and voices of millions.  

Which South Asian countries are celebrated?

SAHM honors the culture, history, and legacy of individuals with roots in eight countries central to Southern Asia. They include: 

• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• India
• Pakistan
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka
• Afghanistan
• The Maldives

Why does South Asian Heritage Month span two Western calendar months?

SAHM spans from July 18 to August 17 because the period ends on the anniversary of Partition and covers other key anniversaries of freedom from British rule. It ensures that all major milestones from 1947 (the year India gained independence) are included, encompassing celebrations in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These dates also nearly coincide with the South Asian month of Saravan/Sawan, the region's main monsoon month. During this time, the region’s habitat undergoes renewal, and Hindu devotees hold festivals honoring Shiva, the God of creation, destruction, and transformation. In 2026, organizers have decided to change the date to July 1st through the 21st to better align with school term calendars in Britain and to make it easier for others to celebrate around the world. 

A brief historical context: Britain and South Asia

Britain and South Asia’s histories are closely intertwined, rooted in over 300 years of trade and 200 years of rule under the British Empire. Following the dissolution of the East India Company, the territories under direct British control came to be known as “British India.” Past South Asian Heritage Trust initiatives, such as school assembly toolkits and educational materials, have helped educate future generations about this relationship and its impact on both countries.   

History, such as the relationship between Britain and South Asia, can serve as a foundational narrative for South Asian people, connecting personal experiences to collective memories, cultural roots, and ancestry.

10 Ways to Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month 

Whether you travel abroad or stay closer to home as you learn more about South Asia, you’ll find it’s culturally diverse, with different areas each having its own food, art, and customs. There are many ways to spotlight these differences and educate others about South Asian heritage, including participating in SAHM activities. Below are some suggestions for celebrating South Asian heritage during SAHM.  

1. Attend local events in your city or town

Some cities and towns host community-organized events to mark South Asian History Month. For example, you may look for workshops and spiritual events, such as guided meditations. You might also look for temporary exhibitions showcasing South Asian art and culture. A quick Google search may help you find events near you.   

2. Learn about and respectfully share South Asian History

If you’d like to learn more about South Asian history, you might try checking out literature, film, classes, workshops, digital archives, and other resources that tell the story of South Asian countries throughout history. You can respectfully share these rich histories by spotlighting authentic voices and diverse personal narratives, focusing on themes from the past that continue to shape the culture today.  

3. Support South Asian-owned businesses and creators

Wherever you live, there may be restaurants, shops, services, and other businesses owned and run by people of South Asian heritage who are making significant contributions to your area. You may search online or ask your friends' favorite restaurants serving cuisines from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, or the Maldives. 

In addition, you can choose to find a local boutique selling free-trade items from a South Asian country that donates a percentage of profits back to people in the country of origin. While supporting South Asian-owned businesses, you can also learn more about that community and its diversity.

Raising awareness for South Asian Heritage Month can also include amplifying the voices of South Asian creators on social media who are making a significant impact. You can use online resources and your social media presence to show their posts and recommendations, whether they are content creators, educators, local businesses, or artists.

4. Cook, learn, or share a meal connected to South Asian cultures

Food is integral to most cultures, including South Asian cultures. To celebrate SAHM, try hosting a bring-and-share potluck with authentic dishes. You might also explore South Asian regional cuisines by cooking at home, or by supporting local South Asian restaurants, food trucks, or street food vendors.

5. Explore traditional and modern South Asian music and dance 

Some South Asian cultures host local festivals, workshops, and classes during SAHM for individuals interested in exploring South Asian music and dance. From classical Bharatanatyam and Kathak to modern Bollywood fusion, hip-hop blends, and Tabla or Sitar performances, try looking online and in your area for traditional and contemporary artistic expressions.

6. Read, watch, and listen to stories from South Asia

Reading is another way to educate yourself and celebrate South Asian Heritage Month simultaneously. You don't necessarily need to limit yourself to non-fiction content; there are also plenty of works of fiction from South Asian authors available to enjoy. You can also try articles, short stories, novels, essays, or poems. If you are part of the South Asian community, consider posting your writing online or asking a local bookshop to display your book to celebrate the month. 

7. Celebrate at work with education and inclusion

To celebrate SAHM at work, consider highlighting employee stories through panels and newsletters, hosting cultural lunch-and-learns featuring diverse cuisines, and organizing educational activities like quizzes or film screenings. Key actions include inviting guest speakers who have made a significant impact on the community and fostering open dialogue on culture and career. Held annually, such activities can become a workplace tradition for everyone to enjoy. 

8. Practice respectful cultural participation and avoid flattening cultures

How you participate in cultural awareness can have a significant impact on others’ perspectives on different cultures. Ongoing education, active listening, and humility to avoid stereotypes and tokenism. Instead of adopting traditions superficially, engage deeply by learning context, supporting local creators, and acknowledging diversity within groups. Prioritize genuine, reciprocal exchange and informed participation over consumption, ensuring your engagement honors rather than exploits. 

9. Raise awareness for mental health support and community care in the South Asian community

Stigma over mental health issues exists in many cultures. One can help reduce this sense of stigma by raising awareness for mental health in the South Asian community. Fostering open conversations can be central to raising awareness, as can engaging trusted community leaders (such as religious leaders and elders) and providing culturally tailored resources in local languages. Effective strategies might include integrating mental health care into general health services, using local media for education, and leveraging community-led initiatives to normalize seeking help. 

10. Reflect on your own roots and routes

You might also use SAHM to look more closely at your attitudes about cultural differences, in general. Reflecting on your heritage, family, and upbringing might help you gain a broader perspective on your own personal journey and experiences. Such reflections can pave the way for the self-awareness that is often necessary to understand other cultures. By identifying your own biases, values, and cultural lenses, you may develop greater empathy and reduce automatic, judgmental reactions to different traditions. 

South Asian Heritage Month and mental health: Finding culturally informed support 

Within the past decade, research has revealed that South Asians and South Asian Americans may experience unique challenges and psychological stressors that can have a significant impact on mental health experiences across cultural barriers. A culturally-informed therapist with knowledge of South Asian traditions and perspectives can help individuals address those unique stressors and cultivate better mental health and overall well-being. If you’re of South Asian heritage and are looking for a culturally-informed therapist, you might find support through specialized directories such as the South Asian Network and SAMHIN (South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network). To find the best care, consider:

• Communicating your specific needs: Look for providers who understand specific cultural, religious, or spiritual requirements.
• Seek out community groups: Engage with local temples, gurdwaras, mosques, or community centers for support. 
• Consider online Therapy: Platforms like BetterHelp let you choose BIPOC or culturally competent therapists.

Getting support through online therapy

Though therapy can be highly beneficial for people with mental health conditions, some face barriers to finding and receiving mental health support. Individuals may face significant distress due to issues like cultural stigma, scheduling and commuting challenges, or affordability constraints. 

Online therapy can offer a solution to many of these barriers, and more. In virtual treatment, people can attend sessions from the comfort of home on a schedule that fits their lifestyle. Additionally, online treatment through platforms like BetterHelp is often more affordable than traditional therapy and offers sliding-scale fees to qualifying individuals. Many BetterHelp providers now accept major insurance plans in select states, as well.    

BetterHelp allows users to as you can select a therapist aligned with their cultural, sexual, gender, religious, or spiritual identity and beliefs, perhaps offering a greater sense of stability and comfort when participating in the therapeutic process. After signing up, you may be matched with a therapist fitting your needs within 48 hours. 

Recent studies indicate that internet-based therapy produces outcomes comparable to traditional face-to-face treatment across a range of mental health conditions. For example, one meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials featuring 1,272 participants found no significant difference in long-term effectiveness between internet-based CBT and face-to-face CBT for treating depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.