Displaced and Forgotten: The Siddis of Southern India
Scattered across the southern regions of India, the Siddis—an ethnic community of African descent—have witnessed brighter days. Today, life is harsh for these marginalized Indians. Facing discrimination because of their dark skin and denied land rights by the government, many Siddis have gradually migrated to remote parts of Karnataka, where they live illegally within protected forest reserves.
As younger generations leave their ancestral villages in search of work in the cities, the elders are left behind, isolated and struggling. In the past, most elders sustained themselves by farming land for Brahmins, the highest caste in Indian society. But now, with advancing age and no support, they are unable to continue farming, deepening their despair.
This series of photographs is part of a larger, ongoing project I began in 2013, documenting the resilience, challenges, and everyday lives of the Siddi community.
