(Traditional music playing)
One of the stories BBC Pop Up
was asked to do
was to tell the story
of Africans living in India
and some of the tough
experiences they have.
We thought this would be a really
interesting story
and instead of just filming it,
we went one better
and the man who suggested it
is gonna help us to make it.
(music playing)
India is very exciting.
Every day I go out,
I see something new.
There are lots of Africans now in India
doing their studies,
and they're facing a lot of racism.
Recently, there have been a lot of news
talking about Africans being attacked,
molested, beaten up.
So when I
it makes me feel so bad about it.
- How are you doing, guys?
How are you?
- What are your experiences with Indians?
[S] - Indians? Actually
- Yeah, so it is very common in India.
Indians think that black women
are prostitutes.
So they ask you "how much? how much
do you want me to stay with him?"
They ask this kind of question.
- We all have similar experiences.
Not all, some are very good.
Very, very, very good mannered.
- Benjamin, some of the stories
your friends told us
was quite disturbing.
That largely happens because
Indians don't know their own history
that Africans played such a big role
in India between 14th and 17th centuries.
Even today, a big African community lives
in the state of Gujarat.
I think it would be really good for you
to come along and meet them.
What do you think?
- Yes. It would be great.
- Okay, let's go and meet them then.
- Yeah, let's go.
(music playing)
So after a long drive
through the state of Gujarat
we're about to meet the Sidi community
near the town of Sasan Gir.
- I'm very excited, you know.
I'm really surprised to see
some Africans here in India.
- Hello, namaste.
- Namaste.
- How are you?
- Fine.
- That's great.
- Yeah.
(speaking in Gujarati)
(music)
(children laughing and singing)
I just feel like I'm in Africa.
(speaking in Gujarati)
- Do you ever have the feeling like
you want to go back to Africa?
or do you still want to be in India?
(speaking in Gujarati)
(traditional music playing)
When I came it was like
I was emotionally charged.
I almost wanted to cry when I saw
all the black Africans coming out
to greet me this afternoon.
Coming here today has really changed
my perception of India.
that there are people who are ready
to receive Africans
Seeing this society today has given me
hope that in the near future
India will be a less racist society,
because this community is a symbol
that Africans are also Indians.