This conversation explored the potential of utilising indigenous and feminist methodologies to reframe conversations around South Asian, and more specifically Pakistani, feminist identity. The idea of ‘Desi Futurism’ helps craft and conceive of new and varied tools and strategies for reimagining and repurposing the past for a feminist present and future in localized contexts. Indigenous story telling methods are central to this project as they help ground these new explorations in Land and Memory. 

Maria Amir is a Teaching Fellow in the Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences at LUMS. She is a former Human Rights journalist and teaches courses on Feminist Theory, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Media Master narratives and Folklore. Her doctoral research focuses on framing South Asian folkloric rhetorical devices i.e., Jugni, for the purpose of mobilizing in Women’s Movements.