News — African Indian

Siddis are an Indian tribe made up of Africans brought in by the Portuguese more than 400 years ago. Though they have mixed with other cultures in India, they still maintain their ethnic identity. Successive governments in India have implemented policies to empower the community and integrated them as part of the Indian tribes. This represents one of the many communities worldwide of African descent who were dispersed by slavery. It is interesting how India is doing its best to embrace this community. This should be emulated worldwide. What do you think?

Fathima Shaikh is a stylist who works in Bengaluru, India. She belongs to the sizeable Siddi tribe of Karnataka, a tribe of East African origin who has settled in India for centuries. While older Siddis have completely adapted to Indian ways, the younger generation is embracing their roots and giving new meaning to their identity as African Indians. They want to know more about their origins. Fathima explains how her generation is embracing their roots through dressing and eating African cultural food. This is a popular trend that has seen people of African descent embrace their roots. What do you think?