There has been a surge in the number of people searching for their family ancestry, enabled by access to digitised records, DNA testing and genome mapping. While ancestry platforms are currently focused on Western societies, where migration data, birth and death registers have been maintained for centuries, other societies have long established written or oral traditions to honour family ancestry.
Why does family history matter to so many? A Canadian university asked the question “Why do we derive satisfaction from knowing who our ancestors were?” The responses mostly focused on a search for identity and being part of larger histories.
We can find things down to the nano level, but we can’t find ourselves today. Some just want to make connections with someone famous, others want to recognise the sacrifices and struggles of ancestors. Heritage tourism is a new phenomenon, with visits to towns and villages of ancestors.
The present 79th descendant of Confucius, Kung Tsui-chang, holds the post of Sacrificial Official, tasked with keeping his ancestor’s teachings alive. Esin Çelebi Bayru is vice president of the International Mevlana Foundation. She is the 22nd generation of Maulana Rumi. The mini-series Roots and the film Black Panther had record-breaking viewership, one focusing on the legacy of racial oppression, the other presenting a narrative of an immensely wealthy, technologically advanced Africa.
What drives millions to want to trace their family lineage? Beyond curiosity lies a deeper quest for identity, connection and continuity in an increasingly fragmented world
When cinema explores the past, facts may be sacrificed for impact, or may serve propaganda politics. Films about World War II and the Jewish Holocaust, the cowboys-and-Indians standoffs of Hollywood, and the current spate of nationalist Bollywood films face criticism from more discerning and well-informed audiences today.
Tracing old roots takes on political dimensions, as Iran and China speak with pride of their 5,000-year-old histories, or Zionists lay claim to ancient lands.
Some try to distance themselves from their ancestors. Adolf Hitler’s nephew changed his surname when he moved to the United States. The British Royal family changed their name to Windsor from the German name Hanover during World War I, when Britain was at war with Germany. It is not only how people see themselves in relation to their family heritage, but also how they are seen by others.
When African slaves were processed in America, they were given English names, erasing their ancestral lineage in the process. In Arab society, names would be changed to acknowledge parenthood — Abu or father of and Umm, mother of, followed by the name of the child. Arab society gives great prominence to motherhood.
Ummah, a word used for the global community of Muslims, comes from the same root as mother — one who cares for the welfare and future of the community, as does the word Imam, leader of prayers, or spiritual guide. In Pakistani society, the mother occupies an elevated space of deep respect — “Maa tujh ko salaam [Salutations to you, mother]” and “Maa ki dua, jannat ki hawa [A mother’s prayers are a breeze from heaven]” are constant refrains.
Individualism grew out of the 17th century Age of Enlightenment in France, proposing that the pathway to modernity and economic prosperity lay in personal success and independence. However, it never completely replaced the need for family, especially in societies where community takes precedence.
Weddings and funerals in Pakistan are occasions for cross-generational bonding. Family gatherings keep up with news, gossip, and even create a space for budding romance. The shajra nasab or family tree is a cherished document. Younger members are fascinated to see old family albums, especially seeing elders in their youthful days.
Despite being well-cared for in an orphanage, orphans long to be adopted by a family. Families need not be blood relatives. Work colleagues, classmates, platoon members, sports teams, even prison inmates and criminal gangs become families. Temporary families are created during shared journeys or disasters.
Many find father figures or mother figures outside their own families. Those with special interests, such as animation, medical research or even stand-up comedy, create close bonds across countries. At some point, a newly married couple creates the foundations of a new family, with its own shared values.
Belonging is a fundamental human drive and social exclusion can be painful. Studies show that when individuals feel they belong, they can focus better, think more creatively and become more resilient in difficult times.
Durriya Kazi is a Karachi-based artist.
She may be reached at
durriyakazi1918@gmail.com
Published in Dawn, EOS, August 2nd, 2026
