Siddi

Introduction

The Siddis are of African descent, who were brought from Africa long ago and have settled in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state. The gazetteer of North Canara mentions that Siddis were brought from Africa by early maritime powers. According to another version, they were brought to India mainly by the Arabs, the pioneers in the forced migration of Africans to India. It is said that expansion of trade by the Arabs in the 16th century A.D. to Africa and other continents was responsible for the widespread migration of Africans to different parts of the world including India.

Almost all Siddis in Karnataka live in and around forests of the various talukas of Uttara Kannada district, the maximum number of settlements are found in Yellapur taluka of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka followed by Haliyal, Ankola, Sirsi, Mungod, Kalghati, Joida, and Khanapura taluka in descending order. Kalghati and Khanapura talukas are situated between the thick woody and undulated western Ghat region. This intervening region opens onto the plateau of the east.