Siddi

The Siddi (pronounced [sɪd̪d̪iː]), also known as Siddhi, Sheedi, Habshi or Makrani, are an ethnic group inhabiting India and Pakistan. Members are descended from Bantu peoples from Southeast Africa. Some were merchants, sailors, indentured servants and mercenaries. The Siddi community is currently estimated at around 20,000–55,000 individuals, with Karnataka, Gujarat and Hyderabad in India and Makran and Karachi in Pakistan as the main population centres. Siddis are primarily Sufi Muslims, although some are Hindus and others Roman Catholic Christians.

Etymology of name

There are conflicting hypotheses on the origin of the name Siddi. One theory is that the word derives from sahibi, a Arabic term of respect in North Africa, similar to the word sahib in modern India and Pakistan. A second theory is that the term Siddi is derived from the title borne by the captains of the Arab vessels that first brought Siddi settlers to India. These captains were known as Sayyid.

Similarly, another term for Siddis, habshi (from Al-Habsh, the Arabic term for Abyssinia), is held to be derived from the common name for the captains of the Ethiopian/Abyssinian ships that also first delivered Siddi slaves to the subcontinent. Siddis are also sometimes referred to as Afro-Indians. Siddis were referred to as Zanji by Arabs; in China, various transcriptions of this Arabic word were used, including Xinji (辛吉) and Jinzhi (津芝).

Siddi, Sardinia

Siddi is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Medio Campidano in the Italian region Sardinia, located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) northwest of Cagliari and about 11 kilometres (7 mi) north of Sanluri in the Marmilla historical sub-region.

Siddi borders the following municipalities: Baressa, Collinas, Gonnoscodina, Gonnostramatza, Lunamatrona, Pauli Arbarei, Ussaramanna. It is home to several archaeological findings, including a domus de janas from the Ozieri culture, a Giants' tomb and several nuraghe villages.

References

  • All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.

  • Siddi (disambiguation)

    Siddi may refer to:

  • Sidi, an Arabic honorific
  • Siddi, an ethnic group of Pakistan and India of African descent.
  • Siddis of Karnataka
  • Siddhi, a Hindu spiritual term
  • Siddi (Sardinia), the Italian comune,
  • Siddi, Nepal, village in Nepal
  • Antonio Siddi, Italian sprinter
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