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Desi

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For other uses, see the South Asian people.

Desi (or Deshi; pronounced /ˈd̪e:si/ or /ˈd̪e:ʃi/, Hindi: देशी, Urdu: دیسی), literally means "local, regional" or "indigenous", as opposed to videshi विदेशी, وِدسی meaning "foreign". Although the term is most often used when referring to Indians or things Indian, it may be used to refer to people or things of South Asian origin.

If used in the more general sense, it can include:

The term could also be used to refer to the diasporic subculture of overseas South Asians, usually those resident in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Australia, or former British colonies such as South Africa, Kenya, Trinidad or Guyana.

History

The term comes from Sanskrit देश deśa- ("region, province, country"). The word for country is "Des" or "Desh" in many languages in the Indian sub-continent. Desi thus means "of the homeland" in Urdu, Hindi, Nepali, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Rajasthani and several other South Asian langages. For example, the country Bangladesh means "Bengali homeland".

During the heyday of the British Raj/Empire, many people from the then undivided Indian sub-continent emigrated to the UK or to other British colonies, in search of education and opportunity. The diaspora from what is now called "South Asia" increased dramatically following the riots and massacres of the Partition of India. Families from the affected areas sought safety in various Commonwealth countries.

Communities that have remained distinct in South Asia have tended to mix in diaspora. Some second or third generation immigrants, but not all, do not think of themselves as belonging to a particular nation, sub-culture, or caste, but as just plain South Asians or Desis. Some Desis are creating what can be called a "fusion" culture, in which foods, fashions, music, and the like from many areas of South Asia are "fused" with elements from Western culture.[1]

ABCD's and Derogatory Terminology

The term acronym "ABCD" stands for "American Born Confused Desi". Among American born desi's this term is considered rude, and in response Indians who have arrived recently in North America from India are often referred to as FOB's (FOB = "Fresh Off the Boat"). This is a sensitive topic among people of Indian descent and people who were born in India.

Since culture, values, customs, traditions, clothing, and general behavior vary by country, region and even cities through out the world, it is not surprising that there are differences between Indians who left India recently, Indians who have been living outside of India for several years, and people of Indian descent who have never lived in India. Terms such as FOB and ABCD are considered derogatory and offensive, and their use emphasizes differences in cultures, resulting in environments where the Indians who recently arrived from India are isolated from the community surrounding them, and are separated from others of Indian descent.

However, there are some people who take pride in being called a FOB; they live in foreign countries such as America and are proud of their heritage and are not afraid to show it. Such people usually have lived in foreign countries for many years and so are used to both the foreign culture and the culture of their ancestors.

"Desi" in the food context

In the food domain, "desi" as an adjective or qualifier may mean native or traditional. Common examples are "desi ghee", which is the traditional clarified butter of the Indian subcontinent, as opposed to more processed fats such as vegetable oils. "Desi chicken" may mean a native breed of chicken, which is not a broiler chicken. Non-hybrid varieties of vegetables and other produce can also be qualified as "desi".


Music

These singers and musicians have added much notoriety to Bangladeshi and/or East Indian music; typically "Desi" music is also known as Bengali music. They include:

Writers

The diasporic Desi community are prolific in English. Some writers of note (alphabetical by last name):

See also

References

  1. ^ Kvetko, Peter. When the East is in the House: The Emergence of Dance Club Culture among Indian-American Youth. September 4, 2006.
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