By Rakesh Kumar Feb. 24, 2025. The estimated reading time: 1-2 minutes.
India is home to several diasporic communities, such as the Jewish, Chinese, Persian, Afghan, and Siddi. Among them, the Afro-Indian Siddi people have a unique history intertwined with the cultural and religious fabric of the country. Siddi community members are found mainly in the states of Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The largest concentrations of Siddi are found in Gujarat, in the north, and Karnataka, in the south of India.
Depending on their location, Siddi communicates in regional languages such as Konkani, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, Gujarati, Kutchi, and Sindhi. Interestingly, the Siddi from Gujarat also retain phrases from Swahili, a linguistic remnant of their East African ancestry. Several research scholars have attempted to trace their place of origin in Africa. However, no concrete or tangible evidence exists to confirm a specific location. Although both scholars and members of the Siddi community commonly assert that their ancestors arrived in India approximately 800 years ago.
The Siddi population in India is estimated to be between 1,00000 to 150,000. The largest concentrations of Siddi are found in Gujarat, in the north, and Karnataka, in the south. At the heart of Siddi religious life in Gujarat stands the revered Dargah of Bava Gor in Ratanpur village. This sacred site is surrounded by several villages, including Vankihathan, Haripara, Bhimpor, Amod, Kunvarpara, Vaghpara, Simdhara, and Jagdiya. For the Siddi, Bava Gor’s tomb represents a spiritual anchor, drawing community members from across Gujarat and beyond to honor their saint and connect with their cultural and religious roots.
One of the most fascinating Siddi settlements is Jambur Village, located in Talala Taluka, Gujarat. This village is often called “Mini Africa” because its entire population consists of the Siddi community members. The Siddi presence in Gujarat is widespread, with the largest numbers residing in the Sasan Gir region of Junagadh district. Over the years, many have migrated from Sasan Gir to urban centers such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Talala Taluka, forming small yet vibrant settlements within these cities.
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