African Descendants in India: A Quest for Identity and Assimilation in Gujarat
Author Name
Naresh Kumar and Akhilesh Kumar Upadhay
Author Address
Naresh Kumar, Assistant Professor in Centre for Study of Diaspora, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar. Email:
[email protected]
Akhilesh Kumar Upadhay, M.Phil/Ph.D Research Scholar in Centre for Study of Diaspora, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar
Keywords
African Diaspora in India
Abstract
Indian has been remaining one of the important destinations of the many foreign Diasporas. Africa diaspora is one of the important diaspora communities in India. They had migrated from their ancestral homeland in the northern African Countries before and after under the British periods of time to several places in India. They have their own history of migration, identity, assimilation in the contest of India. In India majority of them found as tribe near the coastal states of India such as Karnataka, Goa, Maharastra and Gujarat. In Gujarat these tribes known as Siddi found in majority in the Villages of GirSomnath District. It can be inferred from perusal of various texts and journals that Siddis may have been brought to India by Portuguese sailors when they were on their way to India in the late 15th century. The age of discovery, new sea routes were discovered by European sailors connecting African and Asian sub-continent with the rest of the world. Discovery of new sea routes gave birth to colonial ambitions, which in turn led to growth of desire to rule others who were supposed to be inferiors, socially and culturally. Initially they had to live in jungle inhabited by ferocious animals. But in time situation improved and they developed their own society
When they (Siddis) arrived in India, started to face various socio-economic problems. Afterwards they are mingled in Indian society was not easy in any way. Initially they had to live in jungle inhabited by ferocious animals. But in time situation improved and they developed their own society. This paper is based on the empirical field work data, which has been collected from the different villages of the GirSomnath District of Gujarat. This paper explores the history of African migration to India with their various issues related to identity and assimilation in India.
Conference
International Conference on Migration, Diaspora and Development