In the mountains and forests of India and Pakistan, lives an extraordinary community: the Siddis. These people, descendants of Bantu Africans who arrived in India centuries ago, have preserved their agricultural traditions and vibrant dance forms with steadfast determination.
Many Siddi men are farmers, proudly keeping alive the ancient traditions passed down by their forebears. They also celebrate through beautiful dances passed down through generations and acquired through assimilation with those around them. However, their traditions and culture are challenged and restricted even as they celebrate their existence.
Like all Black people globally, the Siddis have endured racism and discrimination. Their rich African heritage has rendered them vulnerable in a nation that values lighter skin tones, making them one of the most marginalized communities in India.
The Siddis have long been subjected to systemic oppression, social exclusion, and economic deprivation. Even with government recognition, the help they receive is minimal. Because they are excluded from Indian society, the Siddis have clung fiercely to their ancestral roots, nurturing a deep connection with the land that nourishes them.
The Siddis stand tall in their cultural legacy, a proud reminder that strength can still be found within a people’s heritage even when those people have been marginalized and forgotten. Bound by history and united by struggle, they have not let injustice and anti-Blackness stop them from living their lives to the fullest or rob them of their joy.