A group of London friends are gaining millions of social media views by exploring their ancestral homelands instead of typical tourist destinations. The “Kids of the Colony” – Abu Finiin, Kayum Miah, and Zak Hajjaj, all aged 22 – have traveled to Bangladesh, Morocco, and Somaliland to connect with their cultural heritage.

The friends, who met at Central Foundation Boys School in Islington, created a docuseries showcasing their adventures on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Their mission was simple: experience life as their families did and share these stories with the world. They recruited friends Anas Omar and Henry Harte to document their journey.

Their first trip took them to Bangladesh, where Kayum’s parents lived before emigrating to the UK in the 1970s. They explored the bustling streets of Dhaka, visited Silhet, and met Kayum’s grandfather, who claims to be 120 years old. Rather than following tourist routes, they experienced authentic local life, complete with mosquitos and cockroaches.

In Morocco, Zak, who has a Moroccan father and English mother, led the group. After finding Marrakesh too touristy, they headed to Larache, a city known for fishing and agriculture, where they connected with Zak’s relatives.

YouTubers Abu, Zak, Kayum in Africa
YouTubers Abu, Zak, Kayum in Africa

Their journey to Somaliland, Abu’s ancestral homeland, proved particularly meaningful. In the capital Hargeisa, they live-streamed their daily experiences, organized football tournaments with local children, and even tried drinking camel’s milk – which left them ill for 48 hours.

The series has resonated strongly with viewers, especially among immigrant communities. Within a week of launching, their YouTube channel gained over 100,000 views and 6,000 subscribers. They’ve received particular appreciation from older generations who watch their content with their families.

“Maybe a 15-year-old watching this that might be Somali or from Bangladesh, I hope they really reconnect to their roots,” Abu said. “You can be proud of it, and your stories matter, your countries matter.”

The group emphasizes that their content speaks to audiences beyond specific ethnic communities. “You don’t have to be Somali to enjoy the Somaliland series, you don’t have to be Bengali to think about your identity and where you’re from,” Abu explained.

Looking ahead, Kids of the Colony plans to continue sharing stories of cultural discovery, viewing their current work as just the beginning of a larger journey to represent diverse experiences and perspectives.