Abstract
Photographer Liz Hingley documents the religious diversity of Birmingham’s Soho Road. She writes, “At a time when religion can breed fear and prejudice, my photographs reveal what devotions bring to everyday, inner-city life.”
I grew up as the daughter of two Anglican priests in Birmingham, one of the U.K.’s most culturally diverse cities (over 90 different nationalities now live there). I was the only white child in my nursery class. I ate Indian treats at friends’ birthday parties and attended Sikh festivals in the local park. It was only after travelling abroad and living in various other cities that I became aware of the particularity of my upbringing. I developed an interest in the growth of multi-faith communities in European inner-city contexts and the attendant issues of immigration, secularism, and religious revival.
Between 2007-2009, I explored the two-mile stretch of Soho Road in Birmingham to document and celebrate the rich diversity of religions that co-exist there as well as the reality and intensity of their different lifestyles. I lived with and visited the different religious communities, including Thai, Sri Lankan, and Vietnamese Buddhists; Rastafarians; the Jesus Army evangelical Christians; Sikhs; Catholic nuns; and Hare Krishnas. My lively bus journeys along Soho Road on a Sunday were always insightful. These buses took Christian individuals to church congregations meeting in a tent in the local park or a school gym hall. Converted Iranian Jesus Army members in multi-colored camouflage print outfits could be found sitting next to Jamaican-born ladies boasting decorative hats. I would hear Muslim girls sitting at the back speaking loudly about the latest fashions of the veil whilst I chatted with Hare Krishna devotees on their way to central Birmingham to distribute books.
At a time when religion can breed fear and prejudice, my photographs reveal what devotions bring to everyday, inner-city life.
This work is a result of my own journey along Soho Road. I investigated what people on the street believe their religion to be rather than what is prescribed by religious leaders or by the texts. For I see that faiths are interpreted differently depending on time, place, and person. At a time when religion can breed unnecessary fear and prejudice through misunderstanding, with my photographs I hope to reveal what devotions of all stripes can bring to everyday, inner-city life.
A Sikh trustee of Gurdwara Babe Ke shields himself from the wind at one of the highest points on Soho Road. The Gurdwara is a registered charity, but finding the financial resources to complete the elaborate building’s development is a slow process.
A Sikh wedding party eats in Nanak Nishkam Gurdwara, the largest and wealthiest of five Gurdwaras on Soho Road. The temple bustles 24 hours a day with visitors praying and women making food in the vast kitchens. Nanak Nishkam distributes hundreds of free lunga meals.
Jamaican-born Mrs. Adina Clarke and her daughter review her hat collection before church. In keeping with Jamaican tradition, Adina reserves a part of her wardrobe for Sunday clothes, never wearing them for any occasion other than church. Elaborate hats are a striking Sunday sight on Soho Road buses.
Men partake in breathing exercises during their weekly yoga class on the Gurdwara hall floor. The Sikh instructors’ classes are very popular in Birmingham’s Gurdwaras.
A Sikh priest visits a Gurdwara on Soho Road. He regularly receives calls from India on his mobile phone. He speaks no English.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar revived Buddhism in India. Local Indian Buddhists set up this temple, with his portrait on the walls, in a disused factory near Soho Road. They do not have a resident monk.
The Thai Buddhist Temple and Meditation Centre was previously an Indian family’s residence. The monks have renovated and now maintain the whole building.
Two young girls from different religious backgrounds play together. The Jain girl takes sitar lessons in her British school. The 7-year-old Catholic girl recently had her first Holy Communion and enjoys dressing in the traditional white dress she wore for the occasion.
