They are known as Siddis whose ancestors came from Africa some 500 years ago. It is estimated that their present population in India is around 35,000 and majority of them reside in and around Gir.
They no more speak their original dialect but have switched over to Gujarati.
The accompanying photograph is of a Siddi Bhai who is a guide at the Gir National Park. While waiting for a sighting (lions, what else!), I had a nice long chat with him…
7 comments:
Nice portrait Vimal. I saw these people when we were there several years ago and wondered who they were. Now I know!!!
We had some Siddi guys working in WRly, Bombay- one of them was named Badshah!
Siddis are quite good at athletics and are being roped in by SAI for Track & Field events.
Apart from Gujarat, there is a sizeable Siddi population in Karnataka too.
Thanks for sharing,Vim.
The lions in Naresh's pics looked huge...I don't recollect them being so big!
When i look at the pix or the opening lines, i play a game with myself: Who blogged it?
When I looked at the guy I thought either Faiyaz or Venu had blogged the pix of the West Indian fast bowler - Vanburn Holder when they had come to cuttack.
Got it wrong obviously. There is more to Gir than lions.
Tas
Are u a VET , recognising animals by its Size. Yes u r right its not GIR but Kenya . And I haven't tracked VIM.
Gir Lions are maybe a starved lot ! But here in the Kenyan national park , food must be overflowing, I mean the prey.
You are right Naresh, the Gir ones (at least the ones that I saw) were a "dubla patla" malnourished looking lot who continued to laze in their reclining position.
AB, guess what?? I play the same guessing game too before I scroll down to the end of the post. Uncanny...talk of great minds thinking alike!!
Naresh,
for me the number plates as well as the cars were the give away
Tas,
thanks for confirming what i already knew!!!!
This is Indeed CD (Siddi) ka Zamana!
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