4/3/24, 12:43 PM Siddis – Enriching the Ethnicity of Karnataka

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Waheeda Bi khan
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Siddis – Enriching the Ethnicity of Karnataka

Africans are living amongst us since the 7th century! Yes, you heard it right. The people with an exceptionally-strong physique, special skin colour, unique hair, etc, are part of our forgotten and neglected yet unique heritage. Let
us shine our lights today, on these Afro-Indians who live in dark-obscurity.

A Siddi Youth Image Source: BBC Travel

6 An Archived Sketch2of Slaves Being Assessed by Indian Elite at the Port Image Source: The Bastion Share

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4/3/24, 12:43 PM Siddis – Enriching the Ethnicity of Karnataka
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The Siddi Damami Dancers Image Source: Deccan Herald

There is a reason for India to be called a Sub-Continent. The foremost is the amazing amalgamation of people with a variety of lineages like the Aryans, Arabs, Tibetans, Chinese, Persians, Turkish, Portuguese and even
Africans. Indian history is ripe with events that have brought unique blends of lineages and cultures to its shores. The peninsular ports of India have always been the hub of new arrivals along with flourishing trade and
commerce.

One such was the arrival of East African people of the Banto clan from Zanzibar in 700 AD. They were brought by the Arab merchants, as slaves for the Indian rulers. Some Africans arrived as sailors or traders and even
as mercenaries. Much later when the Portuguese slave trade spread its tentacles, these African people were shipped in hordes to the Indian coast of Goa, Mumbai and Gujrat.

These Afro-Indians are best known as the Siddi tribesmen. The term Siddi is derived from the Arabic word Sayyid used for the captains of Arab ships in other words for Master. Among the Arabs, they were known as
Habshi for belonging to the Abyssinian tribe of the Sub-Saharan clan. But, the word Habshi later was perceived as an insult, so was dropped from common usage.

Siddi Malik Ambar was an Ethiopian-born African, brought as a slave to the sub-continent. He is recorded in Indian history as the one who introduced the mercenaries trained in guerrilla techniques to regional rulers.
Jamal ud-Din Yaqut is another Siddi whose name is recorded in the annals of the Delhi Sultanate. He lived during the reigns of the Iltumish dynasty and then the Mamluk dynasty. He was the slave of Razia Sultana's
stepmother. He ascended to a courtly noble position due to the patronage of Razia, the only female monarch in the history of the Delhi Sultanate.

These Siddis who were once a part of the army in various kingdoms for their exceptional physical prowess and loyalty are now reduced to utter obscurity. They constitute 4% of the Indian population. Most of them earn
their livelihood as security guards, daily wage earners, housemaids, farmhands, daily wage labourers, etc. The Siddis of Karnataka can be found in backward rural areas of Yellapur, Kalghatgi, Ankola, Mungod, etc, of
Uttara Kannada.

Ironically, though the Siddis have adopted the faiths or religions, languages or dialects and attires of local people in their regions, they still face microaggressions. The Hindu Siddis of Karnataka are better off with
ownership of farmlands than the Muslims and Christians. Despite the implicit discrimination, they show surprising religious tolerance, strong bonds and mutual respect. One of the amazing attitudes among them is
the prevalent inter-caste marriages. Siddis do not discriminate among themselves based on religion or economic status. Every new member married into the family is free to continue his/her faith or belief. They have
forgotten the language of their roots to blend in as much as possible with the regional cultures. Yet are not accepted in mainstream society.

Around 4,000 Siddi converge at the Satanbailu village in Ankola every year for festivities locally known as Siddi Habba at a small temple. The celebration is considered a sort of common pilgrimage. The folklore behind
it is of two black stones. When their great forefathers departed from the East African coast many centuries ago, they carried two black stones along, as a reminder and symbol. Even when they fled from the Portuguese
masters in Goa, they did not forget to leave these stones behind. To desperately cling to their roots, they established a small temple for these stones at the place of their first settlement. To this day, Siddis gather for
prayers, community dance and music in this small village.

A glimpse of their Afro-roots reflects in the Damami dancers of different Siddi regions performing at the festival. The African-style drum called Kora or Damman is used to create hypnotic foot-tapping music and is
influenced by nature around them. The dancers gyrating a semicircle, dressed in bright colours like orange, black or green with strings of leaves or feathers and headbands with mock-horns, chanting refrains following
a lead singer, enthral the onlookers.

During the 1980s, there was a drive to tap the natural athletic skills of the Siddis that made Kamala Mingel Siddi a renowned national and international athlete. But, the campaign dwindled very soon. After a long
struggle in 2003 and 2019, they got listed under the Scheduled Tribes. Owing to the associated incentives, a few rare ones have gained academic acumen while the majority still suffer poverty and marginalisation. Siddis
proudly call themselves Indians, celebrate every festival and follow the same cultural and ethical values indigenous to the region. Thus it is high time we return the gesture to these brave people who have added their
unique ethnicity to enhance the Indian heritage.

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