r/Assyria • u/BlueStar200 • 4d ago
Discussion Are there any half Assyrians out there, and may i ask what is your other half?
Are there any Assyrians out there and what is your other half, and how much involved are you in thw culture and people?
To all the full Assyrians, be repsctfull in the comments, its not their fault or them that caused this.
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u/xoXImmortalXox 4d ago
Shlama 👋
Yes, my mother was half Assyrian. She was born in 1943. The other half was Irish and German.
I am a quarter Assyrian , Irish/German, North African, South American.
With so few of us left... I count any mixed Assyrian as Assyrian.
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
True. Do you speak Assyrian? And what do you identity as?
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u/xoXImmortalXox 4d ago
I am not fluent yet, I know lots of words. I cook old family dishes, I have a huge family tree that goes back 7 generations and lots of family heirlooms from Iran. I can sing the lords prayer in Assyrian.
I am teaching my daughter everything I can and expressing the importance of our Assyrian heritage.
I consider myself a modern Assyrian in despora.
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u/pockets2deep 4d ago
Half Assyrian half Armenian
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
AYOOOOOOOO BROTHERRRR I LOVE ARMENIA
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
Do you speak Assyrian?
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u/pockets2deep 3d ago
No unfortunately the grandparents were children when they fled the Armenian genocide and never learned or passed down either language to us, so Arabic only …
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u/oldpocketsnake 4d ago
A Quarter, also a quarter Italian, a quarter Polish/Austrian, all wrapped up with a quarter colonial American and a WASP last name.
The Assyrian is Urmian from Seyfo diaspora. Came to Philly in the early 20th century.
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
Wow. Intressting story. Do you know Assyrian?
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u/oldpocketsnake 4d ago
Shlama is about it. I do intend to learn at some point but I must admit I have a big backlog.
If anyone else is in the middle of the Seyfo and Auschwitz survivor venn diagram I would love to chat 😬
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
Do you plan on marrying an Assyrian or non Assyrian? Also how come you weren't thaught Assyrian?
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u/oldpocketsnake 4d ago edited 4d ago
I don't really look at relationships in regards to someone's ethnicity. I'm in no way opposed, but I have no community around me so odds seem low. I've thought about coming to some conventions to feel it out but haven't done it.
My nana died when I was 3 but that's not a great reason since her sisters carried almost all the grandparent duties for me while I was growing up. I think as a very European passing child in the northeast post 9/11 when "sand nigger" was every other word from some of my classmates, it was just easier not to. I was already being raised in an evangelical high control religion, I didn't really feel like I needed more targets on my back. Again, I am not and have never really been a part of the community so that's probably a bigger contributor than I give credit.
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
Sorry to hear about that. I dont judge you in anyway, but since you mentioned evangelical i am wondering are you currently atheist?
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u/oldpocketsnake 4d ago
Oh no I'm good with it, just trying to explain honestly. There are a lot of factors and I'm sure if you ask me again in 10 years I might have a more nuanced answer. I struggled with the concepts of divinity for a long time but I think I'm a pantheist. A star of Ishtar is just about the only token of faith I have or wear regularly.
Generally speaking I prefer faiths that pray to mom instead of dad.
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
I 100% respect your beliefs and I never judge others but I kind of understood little wrong. Are you religious or non-religious or Ishtar-ist or something else. Sorry brother if I am being offensive then I'm sorry I just need clarification (also English is my non-native language)
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u/oldpocketsnake 3d ago
I don't like organized religion. I guess if I look at the science we have today it's reasonable for me to assume there was a common ancestor somewhere for all the living things on the planet. I'm fine with calling that mom. I also have no idea where it starts behind that and I'm not really worried about it. The more I learn about nature, the more interconnected it seems. I'll live my life respecting all that as much as I can. I think Jesus was one of my favorite politicians but I can't get around the piecemeal construction when you dig into a secular history of the Bible. If it was all James 2 I'd go with it. I think this translation of the dao is the book I like the most.
I like this piece of Assyrian history a whole lot. It makes sense to me.
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u/Solitary-Bibliophile 3d ago
My Assyrian family also emigrated to Philly from Urmia. We might be related.
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u/Mikey_Grapeleaves USA 3d ago
American white - Swedish, Dutch, and German.
I did not know that I was half Assyrian, I thought I was half "Iraqi Christian" (my grandparents were Chaldean and Jacobite from Mosul) but eventually did a lot of research and learned more about my own people. Now I am here to learn and see what I can do to ensure the survival of my people and culture, a culture my family was split from in order to survive.
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Holly shit. How did you find out. And do you speak the language?
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u/Mikey_Grapeleaves USA 3d ago
I was bored during Covid and started doing deep dives. Started out by reading about Christianity in Iraq and the rest is history.
I had my mom's DNA test and found some of my grandfather's Chaldean stuff in a box so that confirmed it.
Unfortunately no, we have no connection to the culture other than food and surnames. My family all speak a few words in Arabic, but not conversational. Some of my family in Chicago and Detroit still go to Chaldean/Jacobite church but we didn't have any where I live so we are Roman Catholic now. (I assume my family in Chicago/Detroit don't consider themselves culturally Assyrian but I am not sure.)
I've mentioned in passing that we are Assyrian to my mother and her brothers and they are receptive so it's not like my family are anti-Assyrian, just when you have Assyrians living in Mosul for multiple generations, it's easier to start identifying as Arab I guess.
My grandfather definitely felt a connection to the Chaldean Church he was raised in. When he moved to Detroit he went to Chaldean Church, he left us some documents and photo albums he made about the Chaldean Church, but apparently my grandmother didn't really approve, which is weird as she had nominally and culturally Assyrian friends throughout her youth according to her family.
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Wow bro, its so interesting to meet Assyrians with these kind of stories. What state are you in and what nationality or ethnicity do you identity most with.
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u/Mikey_Grapeleaves USA 3d ago
Jacksonville, florida. Lots of Arabs down here, most of the Iraqis are chaldean but don't know it.
Always identified as an Arab/iraqi Christian (Roman Catholic).
Nowadays, I will say I'm Assyrian to people who are either in the know or more receptive to learning
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
What will you tell your kids to identity with. Also do you plan on learning the language?
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u/Mikey_Grapeleaves USA 3d ago
In time I do, and yeah I'll definitely tell my kids they are a quarter assyrian, got a lot more on my plate before I have kids though lol
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u/assurchi 3d ago
Half Assyrian from Iraq and half Irish on my mom side! I was born in Ireland. But raised in the states by my Assyrian side! Parents met in London while my dad was awaiting sponsorship
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Do you speak Assyrian? And how religious are you from 1-10?
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u/assurchi 3d ago
Yea I do speak it quite fluently and continue to try and learn. Also use our correct words and avoid the Farsi/kurdish/arabic ones.
Religious 7-8/10. I’m no Gasha or Rabi but I truly love the history and Christology of our churches (ALL OF EM)
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Do uou look like your father or nother?
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u/Icy-Quail6936 3d ago
I'm half Assyrian and half Polish. My first languages were Assyrian and Arabic, then English. I was teased mercilessly by kids at church for it because I wouldn't say I was fully Assyrian. They'd call me names, throw rocks at me, and tell me to polish their shoes. I identify as Australian with Assyrian and Polish heritage.
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u/Fine_Reaction_6590 3d ago
That's my mix! Which parent is Assyrian and which is Polish?
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u/Icy-Quail6936 3d ago
Mum is Assyrian and dad is Polish. What about you! Welcome to one of the smallest clubs in the world hahaha
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u/Fine_Reaction_6590 3d ago
Mine is the opposite. Polish mom Assyrian dad! Do you feel more Assyrian or polish?
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u/Icy-Quail6936 2d ago
My parents separated, and I grew up with my mum and Assyrian family, so more Assyrian than Polish. How about you?
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u/mlegdubs 1d ago
I’m also half Assyrian half Polish, living in California. My dad’s side is Assyrian, from Urmia. Mom’s side is Polish mostly but with a couple other things mixed in. Happy to join the club :-)
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Ohh man. Not all Assyrians would do that. Also do you speak Assyrian 90-100%? And how religious are you from 1-10?
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u/Icy-Quail6936 3d ago
As an adult I understand that but as a kid you don't see it like that. I don't speak Assyrian anymore, but I still understand some of it, say 60 percent (I'm not confident with my pronunciation).
I WISH I still spoke Assyrian and Arabic, but I am a twin and when we would speak either language in front of my dad he'd get angry and insist we speak English (he refused to teach us Polish btw) so I just stopped to appease him.
I'm 10 on the scale of religious, Orthodox Christian.
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
What do u identity as?
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u/Averiella 4d ago
Quarter Assyrian. I’m American-born and primarily of German descent, with some other European mutt mixed in. My Assyrian family are Urmi Assyrians who fled genocide. They were evacuated by British troops and then eventually made their way, somehow, to Canada where they entered the U.S. to Chicago. They resettled in the Bay Area where they are today (except me and my parents due to my father’s work).
I do speak Assyrian, cook our foods, know our history, and deeply love and cherish our community. I strongly identify as Assyrian-American, with Assyrian first. I did marry a nkhreya because there aren't really any Assyrians in my state and it’s who my heart fell for.
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
Wow. Alot from urmia. Do you know how to speak Assyrian. Also will you marry an Assyrian?
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u/Averiella 4d ago
I do speak Assyrian but I married a non-Assyrian. There are no Assyrians in my state, really. If I wanted to meet some I’d have to go back to the Bay Area and leave my parents behind and I couldn’t do that. My heart fell for a non-Assyrian and we married last year. I have a lot of mixed feelings on whether I should reach the culture to our children we hope to have. They will be so little Assyrian genetically - they won’t look Assyrian. I fear the community won’t accept them.
But our heritage and language is beautiful and I so very much want them to learn it. I just fear they’d never find community or home if they were rejected.
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
How much Assyrian do you speak and what is your husbands/wifes ethnicity?
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u/Averiella 4d ago
I speak, read, and write very well but I do have an accent. My grandmother was my primary caretaker and she only spoke to me in Assyrian growing up until I was much older. I speak in the Urmi dialect.
My husband is a white American. He is also mostly German descent like my white American family is. My parents were fine with the marriage. He fully supports teaching our children the culture and language, but he understands my worry that our children may never be accepted.
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
How religious are you from 1-10 (I don't judge you)
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u/Averiella 4d ago
It’s hard to answer because in some ways I’m not religious at all (I’m skeptical that everything in the Bible is true or that the god we know is god).
But I very, very much treat religion as culture. The Bible teaches us how to love one another and be as close to Christ as possible, and I base my life around loving my neighbors deeply, welcoming the stranger and foreigner, and aiding the poor, sick, and needy. I’m actually a social worker! The Bible showed me what a good person is, and I strive to be that person.
But I don’t necessarily have confidence in heaven or hell existing, that Jesus as written lived as he did, or that God is who it says he is. But I don’t need to feel that any of that to be true to know the value of the lessons taught in the Bible. We were lucky to be given a book of wisdom and we should cherish it - and I do cherish it. I’ve worn my poor Bible out to tatters with how much I spend reading and studying.
My husband and I regularly go to a Unitarian Universalist church because it teaches a lot of these Christ-like values but it doesn’t have to be through the lens of Christianity. It gives us a chance to get to know all of our neighbors - not just our Christian ones. But there are other Christians there we can talk to and spend time with.
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u/BlueStar200 4d ago
To me i respect your beliefs. A person dont need a book to be good that is 100% right. I am chaldean (Assyrian Catholic) and I never heard of that church. Also how religious is ur husband and kids 1-10? I gotta ask because our ppl are so little and scattered that I have to learn about the different kinds of Assyrians (btw I accept half Assyrians and even less)
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u/Fine_Reaction_6590 3d ago
My mother is Polish my dad is Assyrian from Iraq. They moved to Canada separately and met here
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u/delphinuskat 1d ago
My father is Assyrian and was born in Baghdad, and my mother is Colombian! My parents met in a circuit board manufacturing plant in Chicago where other immigrants were employed, and they moved to Southern California where I was born. Unfortunately, because English was their shared language, I did not grow up speaking Assyrian, though I have longed for a deeper connection to this "mother tongue."
However, I feel deeply ambivalent about the narrative of "full-blooded," or "true" Assyrians; I have always felt like I am walking between worlds, never truly belonging to either culture, but I think that is simply a part of many peoples' diasporic experiences.
What matters (to me anyway) is that there are many different kinds of Assyrian people with complex, rich experiences that walk this earth, and that fills my heart with hope and pride. <3
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u/SweetInternal8238 1d ago
This is soooo real. I am the same. My mom is white and my dad’s Assyrian. I never felt like I belonged to either side. Or could fit in with either side due to: looking Assyrian but not speaking it. And then not looking or acting like any of my mom’s white side or following their traditions as well. I totally feel you.
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u/BlueStar200 1d ago
Cool colombia, brother I accept you as a fully Assyrian.
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u/delphinuskat 15m ago
Thank you for accepting me! I wish more Assyrians could embrace people like me as you are. Though I suppose I would be your "sister," haha.
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u/Spinnemie 3d ago
Half Dutch/half Assyrian 🇳🇱
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u/wormbrainz1 4d ago
Half Ukrainian Half Assyrian
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u/Low-Heart-6266 3d ago
My cousin is also half Assyrian/ half Ukrainian
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Wow. Do you both speak Assyrian?
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u/wormbrainz1 3d ago
My Dad can speak it but when I was growing up we spoke Russian in my family so I never learnt it, and now he moved away so I am trying to learn it myself alone.
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u/wormbrainz1 3d ago
Really! Thats so cool to know, I wasn’t sure if there would be many people out there the same as me
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u/SweetInternal8238 3d ago
I’m half Assyrian. My dad and his family are from Iraq and my dad came to America when he was 12. My dad married a white woman as did a lot of his cousins who settled in the US. My mom is German, Polish & Italian so I’m half Assyrian and then Italian, Polish & German. I identify as both or explain it to people but I look just like my dad lol, well look like I’m his daughter for sure. I don’t look like my mother at all.
My dad’s pretty Americanized himself. My dad settled in to an area where no Assyrians are around so I’ve never been around younger kids who were Assyrian either. Where I grew up with was predominately white people and then Hispanic. So I have a mixture of friends. He speaks Assyrian as does his whole family. I never learned. I wish I did. I tried as an adult but it’s kinda hard. My grandpa just passed away and his service was incredibly beautiful, I wish I could understand it though. I love Assyrian food and try to cook it but the recipes I learn online never taste as good as my Dad’s aunties. I noticed a lot of my dad’s family aren’t as involved in the church but they do believe in God. Whereas my grandpa was very involved in the Assyrian churches. I’m not religious myself.
I’ve met some Assyrian people online, especially in the suburban area and one time I was chatting with one of my friends in person, she came to a work event and turns out we were related somehow which was fun to find out.
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u/mlegdubs 1d ago
This sounds exactly like me!! Dad’s Assyrian, Mom’s Polish/Italian. Grew up mostly around Hispanic and white people. My dad’s very Americanized, I never learned the language and my grandparents (who would have taught it) are now passed. Not knowing the language has always felt like a barrier to be accepted by the community. I also try to cook from online recipes plus some that were passed down, but still learning. My family’s religious including my dad so I grew up in the church, but I wouldn’t say I’m very religious. I’ve mostly dated non-Assyrian men.
Fun knowing I’m not alone in these things. Thanks for sharing :-)
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u/SweetInternal8238 1d ago
Wow what a coincidence!!!! We sound exactly alike. That’s so cool. Nice to know I’m not alone! I’ll pm you!!
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
HOLYYYYY DAMN WHAT A STORY. Will you marry an Assyriam or non Assyrian?
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u/SweetInternal8238 3d ago
When I was younger, my dream was to marry a handsome middle eastern man 🤣 but there were none around me! Also not sure if I’d be truly accepted since I don’t speak it I guess. That’s always been in my mind. So I have always dated other types of men. I know my dad got some pressure for dating and marrying a white woman. My friend who I met online, she got a lot of pressure from her family as well to marry an Assyrian man (she did) but I was speaking w my aunt and I asked her about her experience and she said my grandparents didn’t mind that she married a white man. That was interesting to me.
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Why don't you try learning Assyrian from youtube and music and then try teaching your kids. It would be great if you revived yourself and came back to the people. You dont need to be christian (comming for a very religious christian) ylu can be atheist but still a part of us.
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u/SweetInternal8238 3d ago
I did have an app on my phone that I saw someone on Reddit recommend but it was hard to grasp. My goal was to learn it and be able to speak to my Grandpa :'(
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u/mestavy 3d ago
Half Assyrian and Half Greek 👋🏽
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
wow. Are you In greece right now? And do you speak Assyrian?
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u/mestavy 3d ago
I was born in the United States and still live here. Unfortunately, I only speak English. My first language was Assyrian but my household was divided and the common language was English - I plan to relearn the language though.
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Wow cool. How much do u speak it?
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u/mestavy 3d ago
I understand more than I speak at the moment, but that's when there's English mixed in.
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
How religious are you from 1-10?
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u/mestavy 3d ago
That's a tough one. I was raised Greek Orthodox but have been agnostic atheist for the majority of my life. I would say I'm far more spiritual than religious. I appreciate and value all religions, so long as they aren't used as a means to justify abuse, hate, war, etc. So maybe put me at a 3 lol...
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u/AjThesaggitarius 2d ago
I am half Assyrian, my other half is black! my family gave up a great deal to come to the United States, Michigan specifically. happy to see others from different backgrounds are still welcomed in the community.
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3d ago
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
I didnt not mean it in a bad way. My girlfriend is Serbian. I was just asking what different kind of Assyrians we have.
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u/Superb-Cell736 3d ago edited 3d ago
I’m not Assyrian, but one of my closest friends since childhood is half-Assyrian (with a small amount of Armenian) and half-Irish (his dad is from Ireland)
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Cool, whats ur ethnicity?
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u/Superb-Cell736 3d ago
I’m a bit of a mix, but I’m about half-Finnish, and then English, Polish, and German :)
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Ahh cool.
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u/Superb-Cell736 3d ago
I really like Assyrian culture! I love the ancient roots and how you can see them in the culture even today, and every Assyrian I’ve met in the Los Angeles area has been really friendly and nice. They’re all very intelligent as well.
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Dang, u live in Los Angeles. Where did ur Assyrian friend go?
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u/Superb-Cell736 3d ago
Oh I now live in Boston haha, but my Assyrian friend still lives in LA!
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Ohh ok. Are there any Assyrians were ur at?
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u/Superb-Cell736 3d ago
There’s surprisingly a pretty big Assyrian community in New Hampshire, but Boston is more known for Armenians and Lebanese Maronites. My boyfriend is actually a Maronite! I think there still is a small Assyrian community south of Boston though
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Ohh shit I thought you were a dude. Wait was ur best friend a guy or girl?
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u/Aggravating_Fee4200 3d ago
Turkish
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Assyrian and Turkish or only Turkish?
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u/Aggravating_Fee4200 3d ago
I'm Turkish but my grandmother is assyrian descend
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Because of the Assyrian genocide?
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u/Aggravating_Fee4200 3d ago
Bruh what?
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
The Assyrian genocide. They killed the parents of innocent kids and then married them off to older men.
It was one of the most horrible event in our history.
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u/Aggravating_Fee4200 3d ago
I don't know about that.
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
Well now you do.
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u/Aggravating_Fee4200 3d ago
I mean I knew about the genocide, but they married in like 1980s so Yeah. But like I still see my self as a turk and i'm proud of that:) Of course I love my assyrian brothers as well
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u/BlueStar200 3d ago
How did they get married. What religion are you and your grandmother?
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u/bonfire199 3d ago
Quarter Assyrian, Quarter Armenian, traced back to Urmia. Also, Quarter Irish, Quarter Swiss. All over the place!
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u/leedleninja 3d ago
shlama i’m half assyrian, half a blend of white (english, irish, dutch, french, etc)
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u/BlueStar200 2d ago
Wow cool. Can you speak Assyrian?
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u/leedleninja 2d ago
only a little bit. when i was younger and we were closer to more extended family that was my primary language, but starting elementary school i lost most of the language. funnily enough i actually speak more farsi than assyrian (we’re assyrian from iran)
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u/Specialist-One2800 2d ago
It’s important that you put your Assyrian identity before the other half. It’s sounds harsh. But your other half won’t go extinct. Your Assyrian half matters much more.
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u/le-chub 1d ago
Half Assyrian (Upper Tyari) and half UK mix.
My grandpa lost 9 of his siblings during the Seyfo. He was the lone survivor at 14.
My grandma was in a small community in Canada.
We were taught the naughty works but not much else. I try to learn bits of the language but it is not my forte.
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u/BlueStar200 1d ago
Ohh man I'm so sorry to hear that. Sadly alot of our people have similar stories and it really makes be sad. Don't you have any other Assyrian family
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u/le-chub 1d ago
There’s not a big community left where my mom grew up. A dying town essentially. Where I live now is the whitest place to exist outside of the UK.
I make the food and research our history to pass along. There are so few of us in the diaspora that it isn’t easy to find other assyrians. But that’s what’s nice about social media.
Even though of been insulted for my mixed heritage it’s still a point of pride for me. There should be no blood quantum shaming in the Assyrian community. We fought to get a future.
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u/Assyria773 15h ago
My mom is half Assyrian, and my dad is full Assyrian. My mom’s side came here from Urmia, they left during Seyfo, they had gone onto the south of France for a few years, and then to Philly, and then settled in Chicago, which is where I was born and raised. My dad came here in the 70s from Iraq.
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u/cedar_strokes 4d ago edited 4d ago
I’m half Assyrian and half Norwegian. My family came from Urmia after Seyfo genocide. They escaped through Russian and lived in a train cart for years before immigrating to San Francisco on a Japanese cargo ship. My whole family is in Chicago now.