So my son is at least 1/2 ethnically Tajik and we think it's more like 100% ( there's a big old helping of uncertain paternity there ) Tajik. Tajiks make up a huge part of the population of Central Asia, from Uzbekistan to Tajikstan, Pakistan and Iran and the language is closely related to Farsi.
One of the things that I think is important in including in an internationally adopted child's life is some kind of tie to their other heritage. All Rhys needs to do is look in the mirror and he can see that his skin is darker than mom and dads and eventually he's going to ask why.
I'm lucky to have a copy of his first mother's passport with her full name and address, and the same information about her husband, who is legally recognized as his birth father. Circumstances around the timing of their marriage, its registration and his birth leave some doubt to parentage but the point here is that someday my son might want to meet these people and I feel an obligation to respect and honor their traditions, in as much as some of them can be incorporated into his life. I joined a Tajik group on Facebook and have already received some suggestions as to how to recognize holidays like Navruz, prepare ethnic dishes ( one of which involves a bunch of stones and constant stirring for 15 hours?!?! ) and learn about important Tajik historical figures.
I'm working on it...
Harry’s Roadhouse – Santa Fe, New Mexico
1 week ago
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