1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,004 (Traditional music playing) 2 00:00:18,731 --> 00:00:22,221 One of the stories BBC Pop Up was asked to do 3 00:00:22,221 --> 00:00:24,906 was to tell the story of Africans living in India 4 00:00:24,906 --> 00:00:27,633 and some of the tough experiences they have. 5 00:00:27,633 --> 00:00:30,520 We thought this would be a really interesting story 6 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:32,285 and instead of just filming it, we went one better 7 00:00:33,618 --> 00:00:36,378 and the man who suggested it is gonna help us to make it. 8 00:00:37,134 --> 00:00:38,012 (music playing) 9 00:00:38,890 --> 00:00:40,910 India is very exciting. 10 00:00:40,910 --> 00:00:42,899 Every day I go out, I see something new. 11 00:00:45,198 --> 00:00:49,078 There are lots of Africans now in India doing their studies, 12 00:00:49,078 --> 00:00:51,999 and they're facing a lot of racism. 13 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 Recently, there have been a lot of news talking about Africans being attacked, 14 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 molested, beaten up. 15 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 So when I hear the stories, it makes me feel so bad about it. 16 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - How are you doing, guys? How are you? 17 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - What are your experiences with Indians? 18 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 [S] - Indians? Actually, it's not that much. 19 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 There's not good chemistry between Africans and Indians 20 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 because, normally, Indians don't trust us. 21 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 Some of them don't trust us. 22 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - Yeah, so it is very common in India. 23 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 Indians think that black women are prostitutes. 24 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 So they ask you "how much? how much do you want me to stay with him?" 25 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 They ask this kind of question. 26 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - We all have similar experiences because of the people 27 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 Not all, some are very good. Very, very, very open-minded. 28 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - Benjamin, some of the stories your friends told us 29 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 was quite disturbing. 30 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 That largely happens because Indians don't know their own history 31 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 that Africans played such a big role in India between 14th and 17th centuries. 32 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 Even today, a big African community lives in the state of Gujarat. 33 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 I think it would be really good for you to come along and meet them. 34 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 What do you think? 35 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - Yes. It would be great. 36 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - Okay, let's go and meet them then. 37 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - Yeah, let's go. 38 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 (music playing) 39 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 So after a long drive through the state of Gujarat 40 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 we're about to meet the Sidi community near the town of Sasan Gir. 41 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - I'm so excited, you know. 42 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 I'm really surprised to see some Africans here in India. 43 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 This part of India really... I really want to meet with them 44 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 and interact with them more. 45 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - Hello, namaste. - Namaste. 46 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - How are you? - Fine. 47 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - That's great. - Yeah. 48 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 (speaking in Gujarati) 49 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 (music) 50 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 (children laughing and singing) 51 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 I just feel like I'm in Africa. 52 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 Basically, as some are saying, if they go beyond the vicinity of this city 53 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 and village, another part of India, they are all stopped 54 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 and frequently asked: "are you from the are you from Africa? 55 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 exactly the same kind of question you face in 56 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 [B] - This kind of 57 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 but how do you tackle them? 58 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 (speaking in Gujarati) 59 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 - Do you ever have the feeling like you want to go back to Africa? 60 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 To resettle in Africa 61 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 or do you still want to be in India? 62 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 (speaking in Gujarati) 63 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 (traditional music playing) 64 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 When I came it was like I was emotionally charged. 65 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 I almost wanted to cry when I saw all the black Africans coming out 66 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 to greet me this afternoon. 67 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 Coming here today has really changed my perception of India. 68 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 It has created a bond, it has created a mindset in me now 69 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 that there are people who are ready to receive Africans 70 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 whenever they see Africans in India. 71 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 Seeing this society today has given me hope that in the near future 72 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 India will be a less racist society, 73 99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999 because this community is a symbol that Africans are also Indians.