The Africans Of India

They speak Indian languages and follow local traditions. Meet the Siddis, a part of India's forgotten history.

Transcript

00:00They were sold into slavery, and as servants, to work in the fields, in the fields, in the

00:29fields, and in the houses and palaces of the West Indian states, especially in Gujarat.

00:59No one has given us support, not even the government.

01:17We are a discriminated tribe, and they call us Adivasi, or lower-caste, because of our

01:23color.

01:24We do these casual labors on farms, earning between 50 to 100 rupees, and that is how

01:30we earn our living.

01:40We have benefited from the government.

01:43The ladies fetch dry logs from the forest for cooking, and also sell to other villagers.

01:48She earns 50 to 60 Indian rupees from selling this.

01:51She will not spend this on the child's educational needs.

01:53Instead, she will gamble it away.

01:55Because of this, our people do not prosper.

01:58They have no knowledge.

02:05They are signs of success in their learning.

02:28From the very beginning, we use innovative methods to help them remember their studies.

02:34For the last two years, my daughter has learned a lot.

02:37She can also speak English.

02:39I am really happy, and I wish I can buy her a computer.