Modern Legacy of Africans in India - Archana Lakra

Modern Legacy of Africans in India

Archana Lakra

MODERN LEGACY OF AFRICANS IN INDIA

AFRICAN’S IN INDIA:

Historical records indicate that the Africans were brought by the Portuguese around the 15th–19th century as slaves in India. Africans were known as Habshi, an Arabic word for ‘Ethiopian’. Today, Africans are known as ‘Sidi’, ‘Siddi’, or ‘Shidi’. There are many definitions of the word and its origin explanation, most likely it is derived from the Arabic word ‘Sayyidi’, which means “My Lord”. So, as Africans arrived in India as slaves, sailors, and traders during these periods. Today, these Africans are mostly settled in the coastal regions, particularly in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY PRESENCE OF AFRICANS IN INDIA:

As seen in the part of the blog which refers to the historical content of the Africans which tells about how Africans were brought in India during different eras and settled in different parts of India particularly in coastal region. And it also refers particularly to the Siddi community which played a crucial role in shaping social, political and military history of India.

All the Africans are not foreigners, some of them are Indians of Indian origin. Firstly, the inflow of Africans in India had been started from the very 1st century A.D. At that time, Arabs and Portuguese traders used to enslave Africans and sell them in India. But for the first time, Africans established their kingdom in India, and after that they ruled, they extended their kingdom till Gujarat and this kingdom remained after the Independence of India. There was not only a single kingdom of Africans but between 1847–1538 Hussain Shahi Dynasty ruled in Bengal. This dynasty was founded by the slave brought from the Abyssinia Ethiopia Barak Shah, who ruled for a long time during the Medieval period. So, Africans came to India during Medieval period and are still coming to India.

And in the part of the blog which refers to cultural integration of African communities in India shows Siddis role in integrating African culture with local heritage. It shows the practice of dance form, music, storytelling to understand their journey, and mentions Bava Gor, a spiritual figure for the Siddis, celebration of Urs, and different languages they speak.

If we see contemporary immigrants in India, in 2020 around 45,000 people from Uganda came to India. And according to many newspapers, it is estimated that more than 2,500 Nigerians are living in Delhi, 3000 in Bangalore and another 4000 spreads across the rest of the country. But still, there is no official data about the Africans settled in India. But still, their actual demographic can be known from the pan Indian presence. So, these Africans came to India which may have various reasons, but mostly it is for Medical and Educational Tourism. In 2015, 20,000 Nigerians came to India for medical treatment and the reasons behind are like affordable and premium quality. And about education in 2019, about 25,000 African students came to India for their education. But after they came to India, they faced many difficulties as compared to other foreigners, and because of this discrimination, they did not get a place to live, and this is the reason that Africans live in a certain place far from city, near forest area by forming a community.

ISSUES FACED BY SIDDI COMMUNITY:

The majority of the Siddis are illiterate, although they send their children to school at an increasing rate but, also there is increase in the rate of school dropout. Girls are not encouraged for their education, taking according to the religion, Muslim girls have been mostly restricted. The main reason for the increase in the rate of school dropout is because of their physical appearance and the practice of child marriage is another reason for their discontinuation of education.

Another side alcohol is widespread in the community which leads to as large amount of family income is spend in the alcohol, leading to ill health, poverty, violence against women and this also leads to borrow money at the high rates of interest. Illiteracy, school dropout, child marriage, restriction for girls education, discrimination of Siddi students in schools and social discrimination based on their identity continues. In this context educated youth of the Siddi community have started to address these issues.

DIFFERENT OCCUPATION FOR THEIR LIVELIHOODS:

Siddis, both men and women collect all possible forest products and engage in traditional occupations such as making baskets and chairs using bamboo and other such items. For preparation of these items hard labour requires for their collection and process before the preparation, but they are sold on very low prices to the local merchants because there are no market facilities. They also work as daily wage labour in agricultural fields, construction work and sometimes fishing according to the seasons. Some men work as tractor, cars, and trucks drivers or they work on boats, and women are employed as domestic workers. Due to some seasonal employment and low wages they migrate to cities like Maharashtra, Goa, and sometimes Mangalore. Migrants in cities mostly work in construction buildings, farms and shops, while women work as domestic workers and dressmaker’s assistants. After they earn the money, they return to their home and repay their loans with interest. And this process of exploitation and working at low wages are a major barrier for their development as a community.

EFFORTS TO RESTORE IDENTITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY:

As the Siddi community faces many problems because they do not have limited organization to speak up for their problems. However, the young members of the community are trying to restore a shared sense of identity with the community. They are mainly focusing on how to build a community’s identity, helping young people to get better education and to achieve their community development. And to achieve these goals they do surveys to better understand the needs of the community. There are plans to help families by providing material support, raising awareness about the importance of education and efforts for more job opportunities.

Activists try to create a wider group of Siddi community in India to unite and fight against discrimination. To protect land rights, for the development of the community and to improve education they tried to use the survey plans. With the support of the activists some of the goals have been realized. So, while progress is slow, which may be a sign of progress for the community.

A SHORT FILM ON AFRICANS TRIBE LIVING IN INDIA:

In central and south India, more than 70,000 descendants of Africans from the Bantu region of East Africa have lived in the remote forest areas for centuries. And in India, Siddi communities are in the states of Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, and Hyderabad. Around 35,000 Siddis are living in the states of Karnataka. They are considered the ‘Lower caste’ of the Hindu caste system – they are known as Sudras or the ‘Untouchables’. As they live in the forest area, they mostly know the forest’s way of living. Forest is their source of food and helps them to nourish and survive. Most of the villagers prefer living in the forest area rather than living near the towns because of the discrimination they face. The Siddi community is intertwined with the struggle of both social and economic problems. Today, Siddis are legally considered a scheduled tribe by the government, but they are still not accepted in society. When they leave the village and go to the city, they face discrimination and people commenting on their skin and hair colour, and as in the Hindu caste system, the upper caste are the Brahmins, then the Vaishya and the lower caste are called as Sudras and the Hindu Siddis are also part of the Sudras. The upper caste Brahmins believe that if they are touched by an untouchable, they are cursed.

Also, as untouchable, they are not allowed to enter the upper caste’s house. Sometimes the Brahmins employ the siddis as labourers. As they work for them, they provide them with food during their work shifts, but as they are not allowed to enter the house, they are not allowed to serve food and drink water from their dishes. They were served on banana leaf, and a cup was kept aside for them. They eat outside the house, and after eating, they clean the area. It is like they are treated worse than their animals. They have their rights to land, but their local villagers are illegally trying to move them from their place.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_a1WS5ncDk