Title: | R1184_05 Track 5_Avtar Singh Jouhl |
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Description: |
This is an oral history interview with Avtar Singh Jouhl, recorded between October 1991 - February 1992, as part of the Birmingham Black Oral History Project (BBOHP), discussing his life in India and the UK. Avtar lived in Punjab, India until 1958 when he left college and travelled to England hoping to continue his studies. He worked in foundries in Birmingham and joined the Indian Workers Association after experiencing inequalities in the workplace. He talks about his upbringing in rural Punjab, India, his involvement with Trade Unions and politics and his work and family life in Birmingham. These recordings include racially explicit content, including discussions of racism, prejudice and violence; and language and phrasing that we would not use today. Some of this content might be unsuitable for younger listeners or triggering for People of Colour. We recommend reading the description for each track before choosing to listen. R1184 Track 01 Daily Routines (continued) Avtar talks about typical working hours and conditions for people of Indian and Pakistani origin Track 02 Leisure Time Avtar talks about social activities outside of work Track 03 Saving Money / A Few Men Went Astray Avtar talks about economising to save money and answers the question about single men going astray Track 04 A Few Men Went Astray (continued) / Sikh Temples Avtar talks about social activities and the setting up of Sikh Temples, Gurdwaras, in Birmingham Track 05 Sikh Congregations / Migration of Women Avtar talks about Sikh places of worship also being places of social gathering and why men migrated first Track 06 Passports for Wives / Buying a Family Home Avtar talks about the difficulties in obtaining passports for wives to join their husbands in the UK and buying a place to live Track 07 Respectable Women Don’t Work / Pram Racing in Victoria Park Avtar talks about the stigma surrounding working women and tells of young mums racing prams in the park during the summer Track 08 Avtar’s Wife Starts Work / Buying a House Avtar talks about the unusual situation of his wife going to work and buying a house to share with his brother’s family Track 09 Buying Properties Avtar recalls the properties owned by his family and the reasons for moving to separate houses Track 10 Families Living Separately Avtar talks about how families now live apart as opposed to the joint family system of the past |
Keywords: |
Birmingham Museums Trust/Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, India, Birmingham history, Social history/ BBOHP, Social history/ Birmingham Black Oral History Project, Black History, South Asia |
Usage Rights: | CC BY-NC 3.0 - Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 You are free to share & adapt this material. Credit: © Birmingham Museums Trust |