My mom and I immigrated from Tajikistan to Falls Church, Virginia when I was 10 years old. Neither one of us spoke English, but it was easier for me to adapt since I was so young. We lacked a proper cultural community in Falls Church and longed for our homeland—our welcoming people, vibrant culture, and delicious food. 

Some of the only cultural items we brought with us were our toqis, traditional Pamiri hats. For Pamiri people, an ethnic minority in Tajikistan, a toqi is more than just a hat—it’s a symbol of resilience and identity. My people face heavy discrimination, and our culture has endured many attempts of erasure, but these hats have always served as reminders that we are survivors. The hat making techniques have been passed down through many generations, and every thread in the colorful embroidery tells a story. Pamiri people are not a monolith, and our hats reflect that diversity, with styles representing different groups. 

Whenever my mom and I wore our toqis, we felt closer to home, reminded that resilience runs in our blood and that we would thrive in the U.S. despite the challenges of our early years. We moved to New York 6 months after immigrating and began seeing toqis everywhere, at every Pamiri gathering, wedding and celebration. It's an amazing feeling to look out to a sea of hats and know that we carry different experiences and stories but are united by these beautiful symbols of our people's pride.

– TA

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child