Stories of Harrow: Crossing Continents: A Tapestry of Oshwal Tales

Step into a journey across continents

Crossing Continents: A Tapestry of Oshwal Tales explores the migration journeys of the Oshwal community – tracing routes from India to East Africa and onwards to new beginnings in Harrow.

Through shared memories, oral histories and treasured artefacts, this project celebrates resilience, enterprise, faith and family – values that have shaped Harrow’s cultural, social and economic life for generations.

The Stories of Harrow project is funded by Harrow Giving, National Lottery Heritage Fund and features 16 funded projects across Harrow.

https://harrowgiving.org.uk/stories-of-harrow/

Our Journey

From the 52 villages of India, to the growing communities of Kenya, and finally to the streets of Harrow – Oshwal families carried more than belongings in their suitcases. They carried tradition, determination and hope.

This heritage project invites you to:

  • Learn about Oshwal growth in East Africa
  • Explore migration stories to the UK
  • Reflect on how these journeys shaped Harrow

How does your own journey connect to Harrow’s shared story?

Community Workshops

Following publicity across North West London, we hosted three inspiring workshops at the Ekta Centre on:

  • 3 April 2025
  • 14 April 2025
  • 18 May 2025

58 community members attended and shared powerful personal stories. They brought with them treasured artefacts including:

  • Ghanturo
  • Supado
  • Pani no ghadho
  • Hand-embroidered sarees and bed sheets
  • Beautiful handcrafted ‘moti’ bead displays
  • Decorative torans
  • British passport
  • Sudo and sudis

Each object told a story – of migration, adaptation and pride.

Exhibitions

  1. Ekta Centre – 26 April 2025
  2. Headstone Museum & Manor House, Harrow
    4 May – 31 August 2026: Stories of Harrow

The exhibitions will showcase:

  • Personal artefacts (including “the suitcase”, the rajai, kitchen utensils and household items)
  • Photographs and archival materials
  • Audio recordings of migration journeys
  • Community storytelling sessions

These exhibitions bring Oshwal history to life — making it accessible to the wider Harrow community.

(All artefacts displayed with consent from their owners.)

Oral Histories

We have recorded seven powerful audio interviews with community members.

These voices offer first-hand accounts of:

  • The experience of migration
  • Starting again in the UK
  • Building businesses, homes and community institutions

For younger generations, these stories provide a profound understanding of the challenges faced by parents and grandparents – and the courage it took to begin again.

 

Preserving Flavour

Food connects generations.

Working with community elders, we are capturing favourite Oshwal recipes to pass on to younger generations – and to share more widely.

The recipe book will:

  • Celebrate Oshwal culinary heritage
  • Promote food diversity and inclusivity
  • Include adaptations for modern kitchens (including air fryer versions)

Because heritage is not only remembered – it is tasted.

Why This Project Matters

The Oshwal story is a significant yet often under-told chapter of Harrow’s history.

Through this project, we:

  • Honour the resilience of earlier generations
  • Preserve community heritage
  • Inspire young people
  • Strengthen cross-cultural understanding
  • Contribute to Harrow’s shared local history

By engaging with these voices and experiences, you help ensure these stories continue to be told.

Visit the Exhibition

Headstone Museum & Manor House, Harrow
May – August 2026

Come and explore the migration journeys, listen to recorded stories, and encounter the artefacts that travelled across continents.

Get Involved

Would you like to get involved?
✨ Share your story
🤝 Volunteer at the exhibition
🍽️ Contribute a recipe
💛 Support the project

Contact:
📞 Babita – 07977 235350
📧 Prafula – prafula.s.shah@oshwal.org