WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.464 (Traditional music playing) 00:00:06.464 --> 00:00:15.381 (people singing) 00:00:18.611 --> 00:00:21.851 One of the stories BBC Pop Up was asked to do 00:00:21.851 --> 00:00:24.436 was to tell the story of Africans living in India 00:00:24.436 --> 00:00:27.243 and some of the tough experiences they have. 00:00:27.243 --> 00:00:30.210 We thought this would be a really interesting story, 00:00:30.210 --> 00:00:32.725 and instead of just filming it, we went one better 00:00:32.725 --> 00:00:36.108 and the man who suggested it is gonna help us to make it. 00:00:36.108 --> 00:00:38.352 (music playing) 00:00:38.352 --> 00:00:40.640 India is very exciting. 00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:43.919 Every day I go out, I see something new. 00:00:45.198 --> 00:00:49.528 There are lots of Africans now in India doing their studies, 00:00:49.528 --> 00:00:51.999 and they're facing a lot of racism. 00:00:53.478 --> 00:00:58.188 Recently, there have been a lot of news talking about Africans being attacked, 00:00:58.188 --> 00:01:00.222 molested, beaten up. 00:01:00.222 --> 00:01:03.414 So when I hear the stories, it makes me feel so bad about it. 00:01:04.905 --> 00:01:09.165 - How are you doing, guys? How are you? 00:01:12.620 --> 00:01:16.000 - What are your experiences with Indians? 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:18.180 [S] - Indians? Actually, it's not that much. 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:24.140 There's not good chemistry between Africans and Indians. 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:26.787 We don't normally associate with Indians 00:01:26.787 --> 00:01:30.040 because, normally, Indians don't trust us. 00:01:30.040 --> 00:01:31.832 Some of them don't trust us. 00:01:31.832 --> 00:01:34.414 - Yeah, so it is very common in India. 00:01:34.414 --> 00:01:38.609 Indians think that all black women are prostitutes. 00:01:39.259 --> 00:01:44.079 So they ask you "how much? how much do you want me to stay with him?" 00:01:44.701 --> 00:01:46.441 They ask this kind of question. 00:01:46.441 --> 00:01:51.365 - We all have similar experiences because of the people, 00:01:51.365 --> 00:01:53.029 the local people don't trust us. 00:01:53.029 --> 00:01:56.903 Not all, some are very good. Very, very, very, very open-minded. 00:02:00.646 --> 00:02:03.956 - Benjamin, some of the stories your friends told us 00:02:03.956 --> 00:02:05.627 were quite disturbing. 00:02:05.627 --> 00:02:09.971 That largely happens because Indians don't know their own history 00:02:09.971 --> 00:02:14.196 that Africans played such a big role in India between 14th and 17th centuries. 00:02:14.196 --> 00:02:18.347 Even today, a big African community lives in the state of Gujarat. 00:02:18.347 --> 00:02:21.532 I think it would be really good for you to come along and meet them. 00:02:21.532 --> 00:02:22.545 What do you think? 00:02:22.545 --> 00:02:23.739 - Yes. It would be great. 00:02:23.739 --> 00:02:26.265 - Okay, let's go and meet them then. - Yeah, let's go. 00:02:26.265 --> 00:02:34.167 (music playing) 00:02:34.409 --> 00:02:36.789 So after a long drive through the state of Gujarat 00:02:36.789 --> 00:02:40.508 we're about to meet the Sidi community near the town of Sasan Gir. 00:02:40.508 --> 00:02:41.946 - I'm so excited, you know. 00:02:41.946 --> 00:02:44.868 I'm really surprised to see some Africans here in India. 00:02:44.868 --> 00:02:47.673 This part of India really... I really want to meet with them 00:02:47.673 --> 00:02:50.155 and interact with them more. 00:02:50.155 --> 00:02:53.065 - Hello, namaste. - Namaste. 00:02:53.065 --> 00:02:55.115 - How are you? - Fine. 00:02:55.300 --> 00:02:57.010 - That's great. - Yeah. 00:03:00.048 --> 00:03:10.466 (speaking in Gujarati) 00:03:10.466 --> 00:03:23.716 (music playing) 00:03:23.716 --> 00:03:29.186 (children laughing and singing) 00:03:30.156 --> 00:03:32.146 I just feel like I'm in Africa. 00:03:32.146 --> 00:03:35.556 They are sitting in school like Africans sit. 00:03:35.556 --> 00:03:39.118 Basically, as some are saying, if they go beyond the vicinity of this city 00:03:39.118 --> 00:03:42.886 and village, in other parts of India, they are told to stop 00:03:42.886 --> 00:03:45.982 and frequently asked: "are you from the Sidi? are you from Africa? 00:03:45.982 --> 00:03:49.188 exactly the same kind of question you face in there. 00:03:49.188 --> 00:03:54.217 [B] - These kinds of things, how do you solve them? We also face them, 00:03:54.217 --> 00:03:56.339 but how do you tackle them? 00:03:56.339 --> 00:04:05.847 (speaking in Gujarati) 00:04:05.847 --> 00:04:09.280 - Do you ever have the feeling like you want to go back to Africa? 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:10.500 To resettle in Africa, 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:14.051 or do you still want to be in India? 00:04:14.051 --> 00:04:16.837 (speaking in Gujarati) 00:04:17.235 --> 00:04:21.495 [V] - He's saying he's like any Indian. Why would he want to leave this place? 00:04:25.044 --> 00:04:40.474 (speaking in Gujarati) 00:04:40.474 --> 00:04:44.798 (traditional music playing) 00:04:44.798 --> 00:04:57.553 (speaking in Gujarati) 00:04:57.553 --> 00:05:00.712 When I came it was like I was emotionally charged. 00:05:00.712 --> 00:05:04.856 I almost wanted to cry when I saw all the black Africans coming out 00:05:04.856 --> 00:05:07.176 to greet me this afternoon. 00:05:07.176 --> 00:05:11.022 Coming here today really has changed my perception of India. 00:05:12.105 --> 00:05:15.045 It has created a bond, it has created a mindset in me now 00:05:15.045 --> 00:05:18.002 that there are people who are ready to receive Africans 00:05:18.002 --> 00:05:20.319 whenever they see Africans in India. 00:05:22.806 --> 00:05:26.246 Seeing this society today has given me hope that in the near future 00:05:26.246 --> 00:05:29.655 India will be a less racist society, 00:05:30.698 --> 00:05:36.528 because this community is a symbol that Africans are also Indians.