Meet the Siddis: Tribal Gujaratis from Kathiawad, natural athletes of African stock
Indian Express - Explained · Published 8 November 2026 · Last updated
Siddi youth Khushbu Darjada’s Youth Olympics silver spotlights the community’s athletic talent and underscores ongoing tribal development challenges.
Key points
- Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada, 15, won silver in the girls’ 63‑kg judo at the Youth Olympics in Dakar on 2 Nov 2026, becoming the first Siddi medalist and second Indian ever.
- Her sister Shahin Darjada is a seasoned international judoka who has represented India at Asian and World championships, showing a family pipeline of talent.
- Rohit Majgul, 22, from Jambur village, secured bronze at the 2025 Asian Open in Amman and will represent India at the 2026 Commonwealth and Asian Games.
- The Siddis of Gujarat are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), with a 2025 government survey counting 12,959 members in the state.
- Siddis are a Scheduled Tribe since 1956, but only those residing in Saurashtra retain ST status; those outside are listed as SEBC.
- Historically, Siddis trace their African ancestry to Portuguese‑brought slaves in the 17th century or earlier migrations, with community lore of Nawab‑sponsored settlement 700 years ago.
- Their primary occupations include forest‑related jobs near Gir National Park, such as guides and labourers, reflecting economic dependence on wildlife tourism.
- Researcher Pravin Patel describes Siddis as simple, non‑vegetarian Kathiawadi folk, known for the ‘dhamal’ dance dedicated to the African saint Baba Gor.
Background
- In July 2025, the central government presented Rajya Sabha with a survey confirming 12,959 Siddis in Gujarat classified as PVTG.
- The 1991 Census recorded 6,336 Siddis in Gujarat; the number rose to 8,662 in 2001 and remained roughly stable in the 2011 Census.
- The Siddis were declared a Scheduled Tribe in 1956 and later designated as a Primitive Tribal Group in 1982, affecting eligibility for special schemes.
- Community narratives attribute their arrival to Portuguese slave trade in the late 17th century, while some oral histories cite 15th‑century migrations via Central Asian invaders.
- Jambur village, about 25 km from Gir National Park, is popularly called “Mini Africa” due to its dense Siddi population and cultural practices.
UPSC relevance, Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: Indian Express - Explained