Afro Asians (African Asians)
Encyclopedia
Afro-Asians are African communities have been living in India and the Indian subcontinent for several hundred years and have settled in countries like Bangladesh
, Pakistan
, Sri Lanka
and India
.
These communities are the Sheedis/Siddis, Siddi
, Siddis of Karnataka
, Sri Lanka Kaffirs
. One of the largest communities of Africans in India and Pakistan, are the Siddis.
, indicates that the first inhabitants of the region, prior to the arrival of Dravidian people, were emigrants with Negroid physical characteristics who arrived directly out of Africa
. These ancient arrivals would have been among some of the first migration waves out of the continent. Anthropologists believe these original settlers of Indian archipelago arrived over 70,000 years ago.
In recent years, after the World Conference Against Racism
in Durban South Africa. Many of them have been trying to organize politically so that they can improve there poor economic conditions.
was worsened by the colonial period due to colonial attitudes toward color.
(Urdu/Persian: مکرانی) are the inhabitants of Makran coast of Balochistan in Pakistan and lower Sindh. The Siddis (Sheedi)
In Karachi live area of Lyari and other nearby coastal areas. Although most people use the term Siddis to describe many of the African populations in Pakistan, they are not all Siddis.
, Urdu poet Noon Meem Danish
, and singer Younis Jani famous for singing an Urdu version of the reggaeton song "Papi chulo... (te traigo el mmmm...)."
. There dance and singing performances are the strongest indicators of African cultural retention.
The term Kaffir means 'non-believer' and does not hold the same meaning as it does in countries like South Africa. It is not used as a racial slur. Many speak a creole which is a mixture of Sinhalese and Tamil
. They have assimilated over the years and have married Tamils and Sinhalese Sri Lankans.
Many Kaffirs have been denied education. They have become dis-empowered (they were used as soldiers by the Europeans) since the European colonizers have left the island and have tried to find their role in Sri Lankan society.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
These communities are the Sheedis/Siddis, Siddi
Siddi
The Siddi, Siddhi, or Sheedi , also known as Habshi, are an Indian and Pakistani ethnic group of Afro-Arab and/or Black African descent. The Siddi population is currently estimated to be 20,000–55,000, with Gujarat and Hyderabad in India the main population centre. Siddis are mainly Sufi Muslims,...
, Siddis of Karnataka
Siddis of Karnataka
The Siddis of Karnataka are a tribe of African descent that has made Karnataka their home for the last 400 years. There is a 50,000 strong Siddhi population across India, of which more than a third live in Karnataka...
, Sri Lanka Kaffirs
Sri Lanka Kaffir people
The Sri Lankan Kaffirs are an ethnic group in Sri Lanka who are partially descended from 16th century Portuguese traders and the African slaves who were brought by them to work as labourers and soldiers to fight against the Sri Lankan kings...
. One of the largest communities of Africans in India and Pakistan, are the Siddis.
Pre-Colonial
Old folklore of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands indigenous people, as well as modern genetic scienceRecent African origin of modern humans
In paleoanthropology, the recent African origin of modern humans is the most widely accepted model describing the origin and early dispersal of anatomically modern humans...
, indicates that the first inhabitants of the region, prior to the arrival of Dravidian people, were emigrants with Negroid physical characteristics who arrived directly out of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. These ancient arrivals would have been among some of the first migration waves out of the continent. Anthropologists believe these original settlers of Indian archipelago arrived over 70,000 years ago.
Slave trade
The slave trade in Asia predated the Atlantic one, and it is generally believed that it was smaller in scale although accurate records were seldom kept because they were transporting fewer people, and because traders would intentionally not keep records.Muslim Era slave trade (7th century – 15th century)
During the Islamic era of the slave trade, which began around the 8th century, slaves were traded by Arabs and Indians and were used mainly as domestics, soldiers and in the military. The commercial expansion of Islam meant the growth of demands for slaves in the tenth century during the Arab slave trade. During the era of Islamic rule, slaves were used for date plantation labor, pearl diving, domestics, troops, and eunuchs, and concubines (Harris, 1971).Portuguese Era slave trade (15 century – 17th century)
During the 16th-17th centuries Portugal was trying to control sea access to India and needed slave labor to build its empire at the sea which spiked the demand for slaves. Slaves here were mainly used for navy and military defense but were also used in business, farms, as domestics, teachers and priests due to the Portuguese shortage in personnel.British Era slave trade (17th century – 19th century)
By the 17th century, a struggle for imperialism grew amongst the Arabs, Dutch, British and French. The Dutch had needed labor for agriculture during the time and needed slaves. The French needed slave labor for plantations. The British needed slaves for their navy, marine yards and for work as caulkers in the East India Company. The battle supremacy in the area eventually led to British dominated era that lasted until the 19th century.Conditions for Afro Asians during slavery
Although slavery was oppressive and brutal in India and slaves were flogged or forced to work with little food, being a slave in India for most slaves, still meant access to some wealth or power, particularly during the Muslim era. For example, As slaves, the Siddis were allowed some degree of social mobility so it was possible for them to achieve high posts in the military and governing bodies. Muslim slaves were also allowed to become educated, marry freely, become political advisers, recruit other slaves through purchase, inducement, or capture. Slavery in India and the Indian subcontinent was not the same as chattel slavery that was found in the Atlantic where people were treated like property.Most slaves were domestics or worked in the military, navy, or other trades. They could gain their freedom over time. The slavery found here encouraged assimilation.Slavery abolished
By the 18th century, the British abolished the slave trade but efforts were made to circumvent this by the British in the colony, and other European imperialists. Across all eras though, there was a steady demand for personal slaves as slaves were seen as a social status and were employed as domestics. This shows how the economic situation determined the demand for slaves and was the underlying factor in the nature of slavery that developed in the Indian Ocean. It also shows why assimilation was possible for slaves in India. Slavery in British India was abolished in 1860.European Colonial Era
During the era of European imperialism and colonialism, the African Asians became further marginalized as it is believed that the imperialists brought in attitudes about race in to a complicated social and class system. Many of the Afro Asians were systematically divided into settlements so that they could not organize politically. They were encouraged to assimilate.Assimilation
Due to the type of slavery that encouraged assimilation, many of the Afro-Asians assimilated in to the main culture of the country and adopted the language, religion, names, and rituals of the people. For survival purposes, the enslaved adopted the culture of their slave masters.Black African heritage and identity
Many Black African descendant groups still retain some of their African traditions. The Siddis of India for example, still speak Swahili, sing Swahili songs, and worship African Gods.In recent years, after the World Conference Against Racism
World Conference against Racism
The World Conference against Racism are international events organised by the UNESCO to struggle against racism ideologies and behaviours. Four conferences have been held so far, in 1978, 1983, 2001 and 2009...
in Durban South Africa. Many of them have been trying to organize politically so that they can improve there poor economic conditions.
Marginalization
Afro Asians have largely been marginalized after the rise of the imperialist or colonial era in India and the subcontinent. Many live in poor economic conditions.Racism in Asia
A great deal of racism exists in Asia. Racism in AsiaRacism in Asia
-Bangladesh:After the 1971 Indo-Pak War, non-Bengalis, specifically Biharis and other Muslim refugees from India suffered from active ethnic discrimination. They are not considered full-fledged citizens of Bangladesh and until recently were not allowed to vote...
was worsened by the colonial period due to colonial attitudes toward color.
Sports
There have been a few athletes that have risen to fame in the region due to sports like running and wrestling.African Diaspora in India
The Siddis are the largest settlement of slave descendants in India, many settled around the western coast and hinterland in cities like Janjira, Gujarat, and Goa. Today, it is estimated there about 6,000-7,000 Siddis in Gujarat (India), 400 in Bombay (Mumbai, India) and 40,000-50,000 in Pakistan (formerly, India). The Siddis are currently a poor and socially backward community in India. Due to the caste system and even though they assissimilated in culture but were physically different were not accepted into Indian society. The siddis lived in their own communities separate from the mainstream community such as the maroons. Due to discrimination they are ignored by the common people and the mainstream society.African Diaspora in Pakistan
Pakistani African descents consist of the "Makrani", "Sheedi" or "Habshi". The MakraniMakrani
Makrani are the inhabitants of Makran coast of Balochistan in Iran and Pakistan.-Sheedi:Black Africans were enslaved and brought to Balochistan in medieval times. The descendants are called Makrani or Sheedi. The Sheedis are a Negroid people in Pakistan...
(Urdu/Persian: مکرانی) are the inhabitants of Makran coast of Balochistan in Pakistan and lower Sindh. The Siddis (Sheedi)
In Karachi live area of Lyari and other nearby coastal areas. Although most people use the term Siddis to describe many of the African populations in Pakistan, they are not all Siddis.
Shada ayesha
The Sheedis are divided into four clans, or houses: Kharadar Makan, Hyderabad Makan, Lassi Makan and Belaro Makan. The sufi saint Pir Mangho is regarded by many as the patron saint of the Sheedis, and the annual Sheedi Mela festival, is the key event in the Sheedi community's cultural calendar. Some glimpses of the rituals at Sidi/Sheedi Festival 2010 include visit to sacred alligators at Mangho pir, playing music and dance. Famous Sheedis include army leader Hoshu SheediHoshu Sheedi
Emir Hosh Muhammad Sheedi, Hoshu Sheedi جنرل هوش محمد شيدي, جنرل ہوش محمّد شیدی, whose full name is Shaheed Hosh Mohammad Sheedi was the General of Talpur Mirs' Army which fought against British in the Battles of Miani and last Battle of Dubbo...
, Urdu poet Noon Meem Danish
Noon Meem Danish
Noor Mohammed Danish is a Pakistani poet of African and Baloch descent. He is more commonly known as Noon Meem Danish or N. M. Danish.-Early life and education:...
, and singer Younis Jani famous for singing an Urdu version of the reggaeton song "Papi chulo... (te traigo el mmmm...)."
Black African identity
Many of the Afro-Pakistanis have assimilated in to the dominamt culture. The Sheedis have assimilated in to Pakistani culture, the instrument, songs and dance of the Sheedis appear to be derived from Africa. Linguistically, Makranis are Balochi and Sindhi and speak a dialect of Urdu referred to as Makrani. Their local culture have been influential in shaping the dominant culture of Pakistan. The musical anthem of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, "Bija Teer", is a Balochi song in the musical style of the Sheedis with Black African style rhythm and drumsAfrican Diaspora in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan Kaffirs (cafrinhas in Portuguese, කාපිරි kāpiriyō in Sinhala, and காப்பிலி kāpili in Tamil) are an African descendant ethnic group in Sri Lanka who are partially descended from 16th-century Portuguese traders and the African slaves. Currently, there about 1000 Kaffirs in Sri Lanka.Imperialism
When Dutch colonialists arrived in about 1600, the Kaffirs worked on cinnamon plantations along the southern coast. The Kaffirs ancestors were chained up and forced by the Dutch to take on the Sri Lankan army. After the Dutch military thrust was successfully repelled by Sri Lankan army in 1796, the Kaffirs were further marginalized by an influx of Indian laborers who took most work on tea and rubber estates. Their descendants survive in pockets along the island's coastal regions of Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Negambo.African Identity
Kaffirs are proud to be Sri Lankans, they also acknowledge their African history. Kaffirs have an orally recorded history by the families who are descents of former Sinhalease slave traders. Many of them are believed to be from MozambiqueMozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
. There dance and singing performances are the strongest indicators of African cultural retention.
The term Kaffir means 'non-believer' and does not hold the same meaning as it does in countries like South Africa. It is not used as a racial slur. Many speak a creole which is a mixture of Sinhalese and Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
. They have assimilated over the years and have married Tamils and Sinhalese Sri Lankans.
Afro Lankans today
Many Kaffirs have been denied education. They have become dis-empowered (they were used as soldiers by the Europeans) since the European colonizers have left the island and have tried to find their role in Sri Lankan society.
See also
- African PakistaniAfrican PakistaniAfrican Pakistani or Pakistani African may refer to:*Pakistani migrants or descendants in Africa:**Pakistanis in Libya*Siddi, descendants of black African slaves in Pakistan...
- Afro-Asian
- Indo-AfricanIndo-AfricanIndo-African or African Indian may refer to:People of mixed Indian and African heritage.*Marabou *Dougla, term used in Trinidad and Tobago regrading people who are of part African and Indian descentMembers of the Indian diaspora living in Africa, and citizens of India living in Africa:*South...
- Indo-CaribbeanIndo-CaribbeanIndo-Caribbean people or Indo-Caribbeans are Caribbean people with roots in India or the Indian subcontinent. They are mostly descendants of the original indentured workers brought by the British, the Dutch and the French during colonial times...
- Marabou (ethnicity)Marabou (ethnicity)Marabou is a term of Haitian origin denoting multiracial admixture. The term describes the offspring of a person of mixed race: black African/European and East Indian ancestry, born in Haiti. The East Indians arrived in Haiti from other Caribbean islands...
- West Indians