By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
The Power of Ancestry in Overcoming Trauma
Understanding our ancestry can be a powerful tool for mental health, offering a way to heal generational trauma and build emotional resilience. I often reflect on my grandfather’s life a man born in 1915 to a poor farming family in rural China. Defying the odds, he became the first in his village to attend university. He survived harrowing experiences, including being a political prisoner in brutal concentration camps, enduring a world war, a civil war, and a cultural revolution. Despite these immense challenges, he lived a long and fulfilling life.
His story reminds me of how different my life would be if he hadn't made the bold decision to pursue higher education or if my mother hadn’t taken her own leap of faith by leaving China in 1989 to study in the UK. Their courage paved the way for the opportunities I now enjoy, and I am deeply grateful for their bravery. This connection to my ancestry brings me a profound sense of pride and gratitude, and I’m not alone in valuing this connection.
In today’s fast paced world, many people feel disconnected from themselves and others. Research shows that exploring our heritage can offer significant psychological benefits, helping individuals thrive by fostering emotional resilience, inspiring personal growth, and breaking cycles of generational trauma.
Ancestry as a Source of Strength and Self Discovery
Family stories of overcoming adversity can be particularly empowering when passed down through generations. Susan Moore, an emeritus professor of psychology at Swinburne University of Technology, has studied the psychological impact of ancestry research. Her findings reveal that young people who know more about their family history tend to have higher levels of satisfaction and well being. Moore’s research indicates that delving into our ancestry can provide a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world, fostering gratitude for the struggles our ancestors endured.
For some, connecting with their ancestry becomes a source of immense strength. Oral historian and cultural leader Mi'Jan Celie Tho Biaz, for example, found inspiration in her great great grandmother’s journey from slavery to freedom. Reflecting on her ancestor’s resilience helped Tho-Biaz navigate her own challenges, grounding her sense of identity and agency.
However, the process of uncovering one's ancestry is not always easy. Discoveries of painful family histories can evoke strong negative emotions, such as sorrow or anger. Despite this, understanding the past in context and reframing it into a narrative of resilience and strength can transform these emotions into a positive force. Helen Parker Drabble, a social historian and former counselor, notes that for some, engaging with their ancestry can be life changing, helping them release guilt, shame, and self hatred.
In my own life, my connection to my grandfather has become a source of inspiration during moments of uncertainty. Though separated by time, culture, and geography, his story continues to offer guidance and strength. As I navigate my own challenges, I find solace in the knowledge that I am part of a lineage that has overcome great adversity.
