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by Katie Myckatyn features staff

From getting good grades to learning an instrument, today’s world has many things to be proud of. For sophomore Emaan Waheed, pride holds a very complex and personal place in her heart.

“I am proud of my culture, of our beautiful language, our music, our clothes, our traditions, I’m proud of it all,” Waheed said.

Waheed, a first-generation immigrant, moved to the U.S. from Pakistan when she was a baby. While her family makes it a priority to return to Pakistan as often as possible, the U.S. is where she’s resided for the past 15 years.

“I kind of lived in a parallel world where I have my American personality and then I have my Pakistani personality,” Waheed said.

While Waheed has never had a problem with sharing her cultur- al experiences, she had previously struggled to really embrace this side of herself.

“I sort of grew up in an American bubble,” Waheed said. “When I was younger I would think that the food I ate, the clothes that I wore or the holidays that I celebrated made me different and weird.”

Recently, Waheed has faced her uncertainty head-on by making efforts to connect to her roots. Finding success in such efforts continues to strengthen her pride in her cultural identity, and has provided an opportunity for her to learn more about her ethnic group. Specifically, learning the language Pashto has created an indestructible nexus to a whole new realm of knowledge surrounding aforementioned ethnicity.

“The ethnic group that I’m from is the Pashtuns,” Waheed said. “I’ve been able to learn more about how we have many different customs and important values, such as hospitality, honesty, respect and many familial values.”

Waheed’s newfound emphasis on cultural self-identification proved a rewarding experience, resulting in a new fulfillment from forming deeper connections to her heritage. Furthermore, the embracing of her roots has swelled both her confidence and general happiness, continuing the process of extinguishing doubts about herself and making her ethnicity more than just a label.

“It’s taken me a long time to get where I am now and I’m not fully there yet,” Waheed said. “But I can safely say that I’m proud of the skin I’m in.”

In her cultural exploration, Waheed has delved into the world of mehndi, or as it’s commonly referred to in the U.S., henna. In Pakistani culture, mehndi is a form of body art and temporary skin decoration made from the henna plant and commonly worn during holidays, festivals, weddings and other good occasions. The practice of baring mehndi is associated with positive spirits and good fortune.

“When I was younger my mom or my aunt would put it on for me and they were both very good at it,” Waheed said. “It’s such a special and heartwarming moment with your family, and even more it’s a shared experience of female bonds and empowerment while you’re creating beautiful designs and memories together.”

So, she decided to take it into her own hands.

“It became something I really wanted to learn, so I’ve been slowly teaching myself,” Waheed said. “There have been times where I've just splattered it all over my hands, but I’m getting better and it’s been just really nice to have a hobby that’s also culturally connected.”

From Pashto to henna, Waheed’s journey of ethnic self-discovery continues to bring her back to her roots. Her new focus on cultural introspection pushes the boundaries of considering her culture a label.

“If I had to give any advice to somebody, I would advise to just take small steps to explore who you are in the culture that you're a part of,” Waheed said. “Make the e to be proud of who you are. I'm proud of my culture.”