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From the hypnotic effects of the circular motions of the spiritual dancing of whirling dervishes to the mesmerising qawwali [1]performances of the likes of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and the Sabri Brothers, the world of Sufism (Islamic mysticism) is rich in poetry, music and dance where many experience spiritual ecstasy through communing with the Divine.
Much literature abounds of the teachings, history and practices of the Sufi sages of ancient Persia and modern-day Pakistan and India. Yet, there are scant accounts of India’s African Sufi community, their artistic inclinations and the Sufi saint Bava Gor, who was also of African descent.
Unbeknown to many, the migration of Africans to the Indian sub-continent dates back as early as the first century.Unlike Africans who fell victim to the horrific trans-Atlantic slave trade, many Africans who came to inhabit the Indian sub-continent rose to positions of great prominence and were employed as soldiers, palace guards and body guards. Africans in India were particularly sought after for their strong equestrian skills, resulting in their service in the cavalry of many prominent Indian rulers [2].Indians of African extract, also referred to as Siddis, number between 35,000 – 70,000 in present-day India itself, a significant percentage of whom live in the coastal region of Gujarat in western India [3]. The siddis of Gujarat are a tribal Sufi community who are said to have arrived in India 800 years ago [4] as merchants, explorers, labourers and enslaved people [5]. One very prominent African man to migrate to India was a wealthy bead merchant and holy man [6],who would later assume his place in the history of India’s African Sufi community as the Saint Bava Gor.Prior to his arrival in India, Bava Gor studied Sufi doctrines with the Rifa’i Sufiorder during his travels to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, and Basra in Iraq. It was while studying with Sufi ascetics that he earned the title Baba Ghaur (later Bab Gor and Bava Gor), meaning ‘master of deep meditation’ [7].
Central to the beliefs of Gujarati Siddis is the reverence they hold for Bava Gor, who is amongst the most highly regarded Sufi saints to Afro-Indians. The uniquely Siddi devotional music style - Goma [8](‘Goma’ is considered to be taken from the ‘Ngoma’ style of music that originates from East African Bantu people) - forms a part of the practice of venerating the sainthood of Bava Gor. Goma music is a fusion of indigenous African music and Indian influences, forming a very distinct Afro-Indian audial signature.
Like many Indians, the Siddis of western Gujarat don saris and turbans and converse with one another in the Gujarati language. Despite their assimilation into Indian society over several hundred years, Indians of African heritage have clearly not lost their African links entirely. In addition to their distinct musical style, a commonly used instrument unique to the Siddi community is the malunga, a musical bow that is very similar in structure to the Afro-Brazilian berimbau. This instrument has distinctly African attributes, evident in its structure and style. This common thread between Afro-Asian and Afro-Brazilian culture serves as further testimony to the fact that Siddis have not lost touch with their African heritage – a part of their identity and history that they impart with pride to successive generations of Afro-Asians.
Siddi singers with the bow-like malunga. Picture: Jeuness Musicales
Siddi Goma, the Afro-Gujarati Goma music group. Picture: EthnoCloud
Yet another link of the African diaspora has been revealed, although in brief, demonstrating the far-reaching presence of people of African descent. The global impact of the undeniably powerful contribution that the African diaspora has made to the arts, especially Sufi music, deserves due recognition and ongoing exploration. Be it the Americas, Arabia or India, Mother Africa has clearly left her mark.
Endnotes
[1] Qawwali music is the performance of Sufi poetry through music. This spiritual music enables listeners to commune with the divine, often leading people to a “state of religious ecstasy”. This form of music is prevalent in south Asia, namely India and Pakistan.The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean World. Url number http://exhibitions.nypl.org. Date accessed 14.05.2017.
[2] African males were brought to the Indian sub-continent from East Africa as early as the first century. The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean World.Url number http://exhibitions.nypl.org/. Date accessed 14.05.2017.
[3] Sidi in India, Poor in Things, Rich in Soul. The Economist, 05 April 2013.Url numberhttp://www.economist.com/blogs/. Date accessed: 14.05.2017.
[4] Sidi Goma, India, The Black Sidis of Gujarat, Url number: http://www.kapa-productions.com/. Date accessed 14.05.2017.
[5] Sufis, Sidis and saints, Mark Dummett, 02 February 2007. Url number http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/, Date accessed:14.05.2017.
[6] Sufis, Sidis and saints, Mark Dummett, 02 February 2007. Url number http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/, Date accessed:14.05.2017.
[7] The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean World. Url number http://exhibitions.nypl.org/africansindianocean/essay-south-asia.php. Date accessed 14.05.2017.
[8]. ‘Ngoma’ is the Swahili word for ‘drum and dance’.Sidi Goma, India, The Black Sidis of Gujarat, Url number: http://www.kapa-productions.com/. Date accessed 14.05.2017. ↵