Photographer Ramshah Kanwal discovers her 'Generational Gifts' on a recent trip to her birth place, Pakistan

Scan of Ramshah’s Pakistan ID Card

Words & Images by Ramshah Kanwal

These collection of photographs were taken in Pakistan, my birth country and a place I had not been since I was 12 years old. I spent my days surrounded by family of all ages, for some, it was their first time meeting Rimsha (the name my family calls me) and for others it was a reunion after 17 years.

I spent my days soaking in the sun with my grandma, going to the market with my aunts, visiting the cemetery and my favourite part of all, playing Ludo with my cousins while Kabhi Khushi Khabi Gham songs played in the background.

I brought all three of my film cameras along to capture my two-month long trip. I allowed myself to shoot freely without any pressure. When I look through these photos, I begin to be reminded of a conversation I had with two of my mentors, Steven Othello and Kwasi Kessie. They were expressing the idea that when we speak on what we inherit from generations past, we tend to highlight only the pain and speak on it as generational trauma. They encouraged me to seek the beauty that comes with my lineage and introduced me to the concept of “generational gifts.”

My initial thought when I heard generational gifts was my high cheek bones, (as silly and surface level as it sounds) they’re my favourite physical feature about myself and what makes them special is that they’re a trait I share with not only my mom but also my grandma; a generational gift.

During this trip to Pakistan, I began to think deeper about this concept and then it hit me, my generational gifts are all carried down through the women before me. It’s through them that I learned how to love, nurture and grow beautifully from different circumstances life presented me with.

I was in awe each time I went shopping with my aunts and watched them name their own price and refused to let any shopkeeper finesse them. These women embodied confidence; They traveled in packs and leaned on each other for guidance. The more time I spent around them, the more I began to admire
them.

Majority of the women in my family are married now, and on their hands, ears and neck is gold that was inherited from their mom and mother-in law, it represents lineage and serves as a reminder of the richness before them and how it’ll continue with their daughters.

I began to think about the importance of hands and their link to my generational gifts; It’s with hands that these women cook, wear henna, pick fabrics, wash clothes and hang them to dry and even play Ludo. I photographed these ideas as my way to represent the women in my family and just like that, these collection of photos became a representation of my generational gifts.

I often always looked at my own lineage as different chains I needed to break and this burden I carried hindered every single one of my small victories. I often feared that If I don’t break these generational curses, I’ll pass them down to my children and put immense pressure on myself to perfect my smallest flaws.

This trip and the women I captured helped realise that so many before me came together to shine light on my importance. My generational gifts allow me to extend myself grace, and I’m thankful for them - beyond the high cheekbones.

Discover more from Ramshah here