Are Nepalis Not South Asian Enough?
The British South Asian community has grown rapidly over the years, becoming one of the most vibrant and celebrated parts of the UK’s cultural life. But as a third-generation British Nepali, I often notice how rarely my community is represented in these spaces.
I am a proud British Nepali. My grandparents were pioneers, arriving in the 1970s to open one of the first Nepali restaurants in my area. They brought with them the flavours of our Himalayas and a story that was uniquely ours. However, Nepali voices remain absent from South Asian festivals and even casual conversations about what “South Asian identity” means. Too often, it feels like we are overlooked, frequently an afterthought — if thought of at all. The majority of people I meet, including fellow South Asians, have no idea that Nepal is even part of this region.
Is it because we look slightly different? Because our history and geography places us between India and China? Or, because people simply don’t know enough about us? Whatever the reason, it isn’t just Nepalis who feel this gap. Smaller South Asian countries like Bhutan and the Maldives are also often missing from the picture too. It raises the question, what does it actually mean to be South Asian?
It’s no secret that the global perception of South Asia is heavily filtered through a North Indian lens. Bollywood, bhangra and certain styles of dress have become a convenient shorthand for an entire subcontinent. Of course, we share beautiful similarities but Nepal has its own distinct history and its own vibrant subcultures that should be celebrated. A sari is identifiably South Asian but a bakhu is an exotic curiosity, not another South Asian traditional item of clothing. Our difference seems to have created a bizarre and unspoken barrier; we are not considered “South Asian enough” because we don’t fit the stereotypical mould.
The excuse can’t be that we’re “too small” of a community. Far from it. Nepalis are one of the fastest-growing South Asian groups in the UK, thanks in large part to Gurkha soldiers who served in both World Wars and later settled here with their families. Their legacy is enormous but barely acknowledged. One of the strongest, most loyal groups of soldiers in history fought for Britain, and still, most people don’t even know who they are.
So, what needs to change? We must collectively break free from the restrictive stereotypes that flatten our diversity. South Asia is not a monolith; it is a constellation of unique cultures and its strength lies in that variety. We don’t need to be boxed into one category, one look, or one culture to belong.
The change starts with recognition. It starts with Nepali restaurants having the confidence to lead with their identity, to say “Nepali cuisine” proudly, not hedging with “Indian” first to cater to a lack of awareness. It continues with calling out appropriation, like when our beloved national dish, momos, are proudly served at other restaurants without a nod to its origins.
Most importantly, it’s about us, the South Asian community, recognising each other. It’s about making a conscious effort to expand our understanding of what our shared identity can be. Giving credit where credit is due isn’t about taking space away from others; it’s about weaving more threads into the tapestry, making it stronger, more colourful and truly complete. It’s the only way we can all be seen and celebrated, for exactly who we are.
By Suprina Thapa