12歲便隨父親從西印度來到香港，對Trisha來說，這個陌生的城市既帶來了新機遇，也讓她面臨前所未有的挑戰。離開熟悉的故鄉，她在這座繁華的國際大都會中又如何尋找新的歸屬感呢？
堅尼地城海傍與故鄉連結
Trisha的父親從事航海工作，而香港作為重要的航運中心，給了父親一個大好的發展機會。因此，她便跟隨家人搬到香港，現在在香港大學就讀生物醫學。傍晚時分，她常與家人前往離家十分鐘路程的堅尼地城海傍放鬆，忘卻學業的煩惱。這裡讓她憶起在西印度沿海地區成長的情景，找回一種久違的歸屬感。他們吃著麵包、誠心祈禱，享受著悠閒的時光。這些簡單的小儀式仿佛帶Trisha回到思念已久的故鄉。
宗教是Trisha維繫印度文化認同的重要支柱。她的家人信奉印度教，崇拜濕婆神 (Shiva) 和海洋之神伐樓那 (Varuna)。她和家人會在海傍祈禱，「聞到土壤的氣味、水的鹹味，感受微風，你會非常愉快和踏實。這就是最適合向神祈禱的場景。」Trisha也會到清真寺和印度廟參加南亞裔社群的宗教活動，不論是印度教、錫克教還是伊斯蘭教的節日。
自小離開故土，Trisha對印度的眷戀從未消減。她懷念印度的環境，無論是喧囂的海灘，還是充滿歌聲與舞蹈的人群。相比之下，香港人的生活方式顯得更加內斂。多年來，Trisha仍堅持與家鄉的親朋好友保持聯繫。她和家人幾乎每年都會回印度探親，有時一年甚至去兩次。而她的印度親戚也常來香港，喜歡香港摩天大樓林立的景象。
雙重身份的困惑與適應
然而，Trisha在香港所遇見的印度人大多來自北方的旁遮普（Punjab)或信德（Sindh），與她同樣來自西印度的人寥寥無幾。即便偶爾遇到，也只是幾位來自孟買的留學生。說到這裡，她不禁感嘆：「來自印度西部的人非常罕見。」
歸屬感和認同感一度困擾著Trisha。八年來，她發現自己離印度人的身份越來越遠，與此同時，本地人有自己的圈子，她也無法完全融入他們。這種情況使她對兩個地方都有一點歸屬感，但又未能完全融入，她坦言這是一種「被分裂成兩半」的感覺。幸運的是，一些香港人較為開放和包容，願意了解印度文化，Trisha也會跟在地朋友一起製作家鄉甜品jalebi及laddu。Trisha認為香港人的文化包容性普遍較高，樂於接觸不同文化，「我希望能將香港的多元文化氛圍帶回家鄉。」
許多多元族群也與Trisha有類似的經歷，他們努力適應新環境，也不希望失去自己珍惜的文化根源。作為「少數中的少數」，Trisha 更要著力保存西印度故鄉的特色，維繫自己的身份認同，中途必經身份的動搖、人際的孤立、思鄉的情結。尋找歸屬感並不容易，但只要堅守自己的文化根源，保持開放積極的態度，終將會找到接納自己的人。
English Version：
Taking Root Overseas: The Journey of West Indian Girl Trisha in Hong Kong
At the age of 12, Trisha moved to Hong Kong from West India with her father. For her, this unfamiliar city brought new opportunities along with unprecedented challenges. Leaving her familiar homeland, how would she find a new sense of belonging in this bustling international metropolis?
Kennedy Town Promenade: A Connection to Home
Trisha’s father works in the maritime industry, and Hong Kong, being a major shipping hub, offered him a great opportunity for career development. Thus, she followed her family to Hong Kong and is now studying Biomedical Sciences at the University of Hong Kong. In the evenings, she often relaxes with her family at the Kennedy Town waterfront, just a ten-minute walk from their home, helping her forget the stresses of her studies. This place reminds her of growing up in the coastal areas of West India, rekindling a sense of long-lost belonging. They enjoy bread, pray sincerely, and relish the leisurely moments. These simple rituals seemingly transport Trisha back to her much-missed homeland.
Religion is a crucial pillar for Trisha in maintaining her Indian cultural identity. Her family practices Hinduism, worshipping Shiva and Varuna, the god of the ocean. She and her family pray by the waterfront, “Smelling the food and the soil, and then the water is super salty, you get the breeze and feel very pleasant and grounded. That’s the perfect situation to be in and to pray to God.” Trisha also participates in religious activities of the South Asian community at mosques and Indian temples, whether it’s Hindu, Sikh, or Islamic festivals.
Despite leaving her homeland at a young age, Trisha’s longing for India has never diminished. She misses the Indian environment, whether it’s the bustling beaches or the public spaces filled with singing and dancing. In contrast, the lifestyle in Hong Kong seems more reserved. Over the years, Trisha has persisted in maintaining contact with her relatives and friends back home. She and her family visit India almost every year, sometimes even twice a year. Her Indian relatives also frequently visit Hong Kong and enjoy the sight of the city’s skyscrapers.
The Confusion and Adaptation of Dual Identities
However, the Indians Trisha encounters in Hong Kong mostly come from northern regions like Punjab or Sindh, with very few from West India like her. Even when she does meet some, they are usually just a few students from Mumbai. She can’t help but lament, “There aren’t so many of us.”
A sense of belonging and identity has troubled Trisha for a long time. Over the past eight years, she has found herself drifting further from her Indian identity, while at the same time, the local people have their own circles that she cannot fully integrate into. This situation makes her feel a bit connected to both places but lacking a true sense of belonging, which she describes as feeling “split in half.” Fortunately, some Hong Kongers are more open and inclusive, willing to learn about Indian culture. Trisha also makes traditional Indian sweets like jalebi and laddu with her local friends. She believes that Hong Kong people generally have a high level of cultural inclusivity, eager to engage with different cultures. “I definitely like to bring back the cosmopolitanism to India.”
Many diverse groups share similar experiences with Trisha, striving to adapt to new environments without losing their cherished cultural roots. As a “minority within a minority”, Trisha must work harder to preserve the characteristics of her West Indian homeland, facing inevitable identity shifts, social isolation, and homesickness along the way. Finding a sense of belonging is not easy, but as long as she holds on to her cultural roots and maintains an open and positive attitude, she will eventually find people who accept her.
