Your Story, Our Story 

The necklace I want to share today is however in Peshawar, Pakistan but has significant cultural significance to my family. This necklace, which looks conventional, promotes our culture. It has bright and shiny rubies and pure gold and both of these materials are associated with richness deeply ingrained in the culture of Pakistan.  

I received it from my great grandmother when she and her family migrated from Peshawar, Pakistan to the United States. Because of the war against India and Pakistan in 1947 on the basis of different religions, she left and came to the States in 1950. I picture her moments before walking out and taking this necklace as an emotional token to me. This necklace was with me for a while, Peshawar was in me while I was sitting in a foreign place. Although I have never seen my great-grandmother alive, something of her is still alive in me. This piece has been left by her for the heirloom collection.  

In this necklace, there is so much history telling of weddings, births and many other occasions. I have used this necklace on all these occasions. It made me feel fashionable; if the clothing didn’t make me feel good about myself then the necklace full of stories certainly did. It represents the power that my family members never forget where they came from no matter how they struggled while they were in the United States.   

– Saira A Parmeen

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more