Blood under the sundown light

The Siddi community is the African descendants living in India. This project focuses on the Sate of Gujarat, where the Siddis have been able to intermingle their African traditions and the diverse Indian customs, creating a creolized context.

Blood under the sundown light:

Little has been said about African descendants in India. The reason may be that the African continent has only been accounted for since colonial times. Nevertheless, it is essential to move away from thinking that African communities were isolated and static prior to their contact with white men. It is crucial to acknowledge counterstories of black communities outside of a colonial context and recognize their socio-political and economic influence in the formation of diverse contexts globally, one of them being India.

The Siddi community represented here are descendants of East Africans living in the state of Gujarat in India. It is believed that their original and religious ancestors, arrived on the coast of Kuda, Gujarat, where they started settling around the state, spreading the word of Islam, as well as its customs and traditions.

Today, the Siddis blend African traditions with Indian customs, creating a creolized culture that fosters pride in their African heritage and a strong sense of belonging in India. Despite this, they face racial, class, and caste-based segregation, which limits their access to education, employment, and housing. Many Siddis experience a blurred identity, seen as neither fully Indian nor African.

Despite these challenges, the community remains committed to preserving its traditions and oral histories, navigating their complex, transoceanic identity. The Siddis represent a unique intersection of two continents and cultures, offering a rich narrative of heritage and resilience.