We were lucky to catch up with Malika Burieva recently and have shared our conversation below.

Malika, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

During the Covid-19 pandemic that rose incredulously in 2020, I was bored like many people. I delved into TikTok and I saw this famous sound going around with a video showing one’s Asian heritage. The sound questions, “which Asian are you?” I wanted to show off my Central Asian heritage and being Uzbek-Turkmen and I used the sound. It gained traction on the “for you page,” and I had many people commenting “finally an Uzbek on my fyp” or “finally some Central Asian representation.” I knew that I wanted to present my heritage to the world. Growing up, being Central Asian, I was always “ethnically ambiguous.” I was always questioned about where I was from because of that, although I am American. “My family is from Uzbekistan” would be my answer. Then, I would get further questions ranging from “What?” to “Where is that?” With the rise of TikTok, I thought it was a perfect opportunity for me to introduce Central Asian identity. Not only is my identity important, but it is important to other Central Asians that are tired of having to explain their identity and the meaning of being Central Asian to those that are not familiar with us. Representation matters and I want to bring that to my fellow Central Asians.

Malika, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Malika Burieva, a Central Asian content creator of Uzbek-Turkmen heritage. I make videos on TikTok and Instagram about the cultures of Central Asia to familiarize the area to others. I am a first-generation American and the first in my entire family, born in Miami, Florida. Growing up Central Asian-American in the states, I have met many people that are not familiar with Central Asia by any means. It led me to care more about my ethnicity because others don’t care to become familiar with the geography. It motivated me to create content about my heritage and constantly talk about it. I also realized that I’m a rare breed of Central Asian. I am a mixed Central Asian-American. My perspectives are important to share with the world. It can motivate other Central Asians to share theirs and connect with one another.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It is rewarding to read comments from other Central Asians in my videos that say, “because of you, I learned to embrace my Central Asian roots.” Aside from the negative comments that I tend to receive, those positive comments make my “craft” worth it. I get direct messages from non-Central Asians saying that their significant other is Central Asian, and they ask me for advice on how to be in touch with their culture or how to gain the approval of their in-laws. It makes me happy to read stories like this. I am truly touched. I met diasporic Central Asians online with whom I will have everlasting friendships. My “bestiejon” (dearest best friend) Joshua Breaux is a prime example. A Tajik-American adoptee that was adopted by white Cajun-Americans in Louisiana who is also a content creator. My other “bestiejon” Kamila Erkabaeva, owner of the small business “ArtyNumpty” in London, UK. I became part of Womxn of Central Asia, a digital organization that shares stories of strong Central Asian women, as their content creator-in-chief. I co-hosted the Geography Now Turkmenistan episode in Los Angeles, California with Paul Barbato, owner of the successful YouTube channel Geography Now with 3 million subscribers. I solo-traveled to Europe to meet my online Uzbek-American friend, Diyora, in person who was studying abroad for a semester at Tilburg University in Tilburg, the Netherlands. While traveling, I visited London first to meet Kamila in person, traveled to the Netherlands, and ended the trip in Paris where I visited an Uzbek-Parisian restaurant and met diasporic Uzbeks in Paris. Becoming a content creator has truly been a rewarding experience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want more people to become familiar with Central Asia and its beauty. This summer, I will be visiting Uzbekistan through the esteemed Benjamin A. Gilman Study Abroad Program. This will be the first time that I will be visiting Uzbekistan. I have never visited Uzbekistan before. I want my videos to record the essence and authenticity of Uzbekistan. I want to record my first impressions and first reactions to trying new things in Uzbekistan that I have never tried before. I have been successful in my journey of connecting to Uzbek culture in America. But, it’s important that I do so in the motherland.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/malika.burieva/
• TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@malika.burieva

Image Credits
– Farzah, @rememberthebrowngurl
– Esther Anna, @esther.anna.photos