In Photos: Lost Legacy of Gujarat’s African-Origin Siddi Tribe

A community of African origin is living deep inside the Gir forest in Gujarat.

Children of African origin in Gujarat’s Jambur village.

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

Some 12 kilometres away from the town of Talala, in Somnath district of Gujarat, goes a small road to a village called Jambur, bordering the dense forests of Gir. The village is marked by a small signboard at the end of the lane that reads “Jambur gram panchayat aapka swagat karta hai” (Jambur gram panchayat welcomes you). The village gives you a feel of being in Africa, thanks to the African origin of the villagers, who now speak fluent Gujarati. The community is called Siddhi Badhshah.

Fifty-year-old Yusufbhai Mori sits outside his house in Jambur village. Mori is currently unemployed.(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

While most of the community members cannot explain their origin, 52-year-old Parmar Hashim said that they are descendants of Jamalluddin Yakut, who was a confidante and love interest of Razia Sultan, who ruled Delhi in the 12th century.

Children playing in Jambur village.(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

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Fifty-two-year-old Parmar Hashim is a labourer in Jambur.(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

A few other people, however, tell a different version of their origin. According to a few old women, they are the descendants of Africans that the Nawab of Junagad brought to the Gir forest to hunt lions.

The old women in Jambur also work as labourers.(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

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Ashraf, 36, is a vegetable vendor. His family has 11 other members and this is their sole source of income.(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

While the village lacks the most basic facilities, the youth work as security guards, auto-drivers, or vegetable vendors.

Fourteen-year-old Alfeeza and 15-year-old Ajebu embroidering sarees.(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

Apart from manual labour, young girls in the village also take up jobs like embroidering sarees. While one saree needs around four days of hard work, the payment for each saree is a meagre Rs 100.

The village of Jambur is plagued by unemployment and lack of basic facilities. Most of the young men and women work as labourers.(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

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Most of the villagers are categorised as scheduled castes. (Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

While most of the villagers are Muslims, they are categorised as scheduled castes. Most of them, however, say that the scheduled caste status never helped them get any jobs. They marry within their community. Many claim that they are good at sports due to their African origin, but don’t get enough opportunities.

If Usain Bolt and Chris Gayle can do wonders for their respective countries, we can too. We are talented and we want to put it to good use. We can do a lot if we are suppported well.

Aslam, 23

Children pose for a photograph in Jambur village(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

Are our politicians listening?

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