WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.004 (Traditional music playing) 00:00:18.731 --> 00:00:22.221 One of the stories BBC Pop Up was asked to do 00:00:22.221 --> 00:00:24.906 was to tell the story of Africans living in India 00:00:24.906 --> 00:00:27.633 and some of the tough experiences they have. 00:00:27.633 --> 00:00:30.520 We thought this would be a really interesting story 00:00:30.520 --> 00:00:32.285 and instead of just filming it, we went one better 00:00:33.618 --> 00:00:36.378 and the man who suggested it is gonna help us to make it. 00:00:37.134 --> 00:00:38.012 (music playing) 00:00:38.890 --> 00:00:40.910 India is very exciting. 00:00:40.910 --> 00:00:42.899 Every day I go out, I see something new. 00:00:45.198 --> 00:00:49.078 There are lots of Africans now in India doing their studies, 00:00:49.078 --> 00:00:51.999 and they're facing a lot of racism. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Recently, there have been a lot of news talking about Africans being attacked, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 molested, beaten up. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So when I it makes me feel so bad about it. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - How are you doing, guys? How are you? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - What are your experiences with Indians? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 [S] - Indians? Actually 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - Yeah, so it is very common in India. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Indians think that black women are prostitutes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So they ask you "how much? how much do you want me to stay with him?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They ask this kind of question. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - We all have similar experiences. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Not all, some are very good. Very, very, very good mannered. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - Benjamin, some of the stories your friends told us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 was quite disturbing. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 That largely happens because Indians don't know their own history 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that Africans played such a big role in India between 14th and 17th centuries. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Even today, a big African community lives in the state of Gujarat. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think it would be really good for you to come along and meet them. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What do you think? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - Yes. It would be great. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - Okay, let's go and meet them then. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - Yeah, let's go. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (music playing) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So after a long drive through the state of Gujarat 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we're about to meet the Sidi community near the town of Sasan Gir. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - I'm very excited, you know. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'm really surprised to see some Africans here in India. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - Hello, namaste. - Namaste. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - How are you? - Fine. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - That's great. - Yeah. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (speaking in Gujarati) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (music) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (children laughing and singing) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I just feel like I'm in Africa. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (speaking in Gujarati) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 - Do you ever have the feeling like you want to go back to Africa? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or do you still want to be in India? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (speaking in Gujarati) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (traditional music playing) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When I came it was like I was emotionally charged. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I almost wanted to cry when I saw all the black Africans coming out 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to greet me this afternoon. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Coming here today has really changed my perception of India. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that there are people who are ready to receive Africans 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Seeing this society today has given me hope that in the near future 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 India will be a less racist society, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because this community is a symbol that Africans are also Indians.