2. My name is Ira. I was born in America. My
parents are from India so I am a mix of Indian
American culture.
3. My culture is Indian.
My native language is Marathi belonging to state Maharashtra
in India.
The national language is Hindi.
The transportation is Cars, Bus, Train, Auto Rickshaw and
scooters.
The nation game is hockey and cricket.
Other games that kids play like marbles, guilli danda and
bebled (top).
The house‟s are made out of bricks. Because it is hot there,
the flooring is tiles.
Our traditional dances are Kathak, and Bharathnatiyam.
The national and traditional holidays are Diwali, Dassera,
Holi, and Gudi Padwa.
The food I eat is Chapathi, Rice, Rasmalai, Kulfi, Gulabjamun.
The traditional dress is Salwar Kurta, Kameez, Saree, Ghagra
Choli, Mangalsutra, Bangels, Bindi.
4. I speak in Marathi language with my parents
at home and families in India.
When I do my schoolwork, I talk in English.
Me and my sister mostly talk in English but
when we argue we speak Marathi.
I can also speak Hindi. We speak in hindi with
all my parent‟s Indian friends. But I talk in
English with most of my Indian friends.
I am learning to write Marathi and Hindi.
5. Weplay American games as well as Indian
games at home or with friends like soccer,
Uno, carom board.
6. My mom cooks Indian food everyday. I also
bring it for lunch to school. I like Indian
food. Sometimes I eat American or Chinese
food.
8. We wear our traditional clothes only on festivals and special
occasions. Our daily wear is American clothes. We like to
dress up and look beautiful.
9. My religion is hindu. We have Mandir
(temple) in our house. Where we have
statues and pictures of our gods. We pray
every morning.
My mom and dad light a diva(candle) and
essence stick everyday in the temple.
We also decorate our house with pictures and
statues of god.
People have faith in god.
We also put a miniature statue of god in the
car to drive safely.
10. Some of the superstitions are- Black cat
crossing means you won‟t get your work done
that day.
If you hear crow cawing it is a sign of guest
coming to your house.
Lemon and chili-keep evil spirits off,
breaking coconut before starting any good
work is a good thing.
Cow is worshiped on most of the festivals.
You will see most of the animals are with
gods in the pictures and statues.
Some of the trees are holy like banyan tree.
11.
12. Auto rickshaw Bus
The cheapest and commonly used transportation is
auto rickshaw, bus, and trains.
13. After birth, the baby is named in a special
religious ceremony at home. The name is
decided by the horoscope, birth-chart.
When somebody dies, the body is cremated
(burnt). After 12 days there is a ceremony
called “Shradh” (similar to memorial
service). On that day we make favorite food
of the dead person. Light candles and offer
flowers to the photo of the dead person.
14. Marriage is like 3 to 4 days celebration which is
Mehendi(henna), Haldi, wedding and reception.
Both bride and groom families come together at
one place for this event.
Everybody wears traditionl and formal clothes.
Bindi and a neckless (mangalsutra) with black
beads is a significent like a ring here.
7 phere around the sacred fire are 7 promises
made by bride and groom same like vows here.
15.
16. The Indian community is more public and
social. People in general spend time with
their family and friends then by themselves.
People get together in groups during festivals
and social gatherings.
Most people stay in joint families having 3
generations.
Education is very important and teacher
(guru) is very respected equivalent to
parents, because they shape the life of a
student by their teaching.
17. I have visited many Indian temples.
I have also visited the Mahabaleshwar fort
which was one of the many land and sea
forts built by King Shivaji, a 16th century
Maratha king who fought many battles with
the Britishers for „swarajya‟ (freedom) .
19. Ramayan
Maha Bharath
Hanuman
Ganpati
These stories are about our hindu gods.
ShivajiMaharaj- the Maratha king who united
the state of Maharashtra and fought against
the British and Mughal invaders. He also
formed the first Navy in Maharashtra.
20. I think family daily life is same as an
American family.
We have same routine for school days like we
wake up in the morning, have breakfast, go
to school or work, have dinner and read in
the night.
On weekends we go the temple, shopping,
cleaning the house, watch movies, play with
friends and call our grandparents and
relatives in India.
21. In our culture children live with their parents
till they graduate and in some cases till they
get married. Parents take care of them and
kids are suppose to take care of parents till
their old age.
In India when we meet our friends/familiy
we say “Namaste”.
Sometimes we touch the feet of an elderly
person to show respect.
Depending on the person you would stay and
chat or you carry on with your work.
22. Marathi folk dance is Lavani and Koli dance.
We listen to Hindi and Marathi songs at home
and in the car.
But sometime we listen English songs.
We watch both Hollywood and Bollywood
movies.
23. In India currency is called “Rupees”.
When you do household chores you do not
get paid.
When you get paid, the persone is
responsible of the family so they would give
some of their money to the family.
24. 10 Features of American Culture Is this how I
feel?
Yes No Sort of
Value youth & beauty: VOGUE!
New is better, change is good
Optimism: BE HAPPY! They lived happily ever
after.
You can be whatever you what to be: I want to
be a rock star!
Success = money Success = what we own
Speak your mind!
We‟re informal: Come on in!Have a cookie!
We‟re friendly & open: Hi, how are you today?
Equality
We take risks, we‟re innovative/creative
25. According to the research I did about my
culture, I am 80% Indian and 20% American
I got my culture from my parents. I was born
here in US but my brain is more Indian
because of the things I do. I see my culture
with a blue lenses here in US but I see
American culture with a green lenses
because I am more Indian.
