Sidi community

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The Sidi community of Gujarat

Sidi women keep African culture alive in India, US professor says

Parth Shastri, TNN | Jun 16, 2013

The Times of India

Historical beliefs

The Sidi community gave Ahmedabad its unofficial symbol, they rose to the ranks of sultans in Gujarat and elsewhere in the country and also left an indelible mark on the culture around them - Sidis have been part of Gujarati and Indian history since 12th century and have left a mark on it.

Baba Ghor is revered as patron saint by Sidis in India, especially in Gujarat. Sidis today sing his paeans in Dhamaal dance. According to legend, Ghor is considered to have come from Kano in Nigeria, who travelled to Sudan and Mecca after which he came to India. A wealthy merchant, he got to know about agate (akik) and other semi-precious stones like jasper and carnelian and started its mining near Rajpipla and export of jewellery from Khambhat. In 1515, Duarte Barbossa, a Portuguese traveller, wrote in his travelogue that Baba Ghor had already become a brand by that time. Historians said that Ghor worked as a rally point for many African descendants, who came from various parts of the continent, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Zanzibar.

Research

Purnima Bhatt, a professor of history and interdisciplinary studies at Hood College, Maryland, US, has undertaken a study with Ramji Savaliya, director of BJ Institute of Learning and Research, where she explored issues such as east-bound slavery of African nationals, Sidis in Gujarat and India, their culture and religious beliefs, Sidi women and their status in society and portrayal of Sidis in art and literature.

Links with their African roots

"We found that the Sidis in Gujarat have managed to maintain a link with their roots right from traditions to language. While Sidis in Gujarat speak local language, many of their words have Bantu or Swahili origins. Likewise, the concept of living spirits of ancestors that should be appeased and taking help of community healers at the time of ailments is still prevailing," said Bhatt.

Women

Bhatt added that women have long been leaders in modern history of Sidis across India and have been binding glue for the traditions. "We have found examples of enterprising Sidi women like Hirbai and Farida Sidi in Gujarat who not only got educated and made a niche for themselves but also provided education and means of livelihood for the community. They also keep the traditions alive by passing it down the generations," she said.