WATCH: Gujurat's Siddi Tribe Of African Origin Performs 'Dhamal' At National Tribal Dance Festival

It is assumed that this community initially belonged to the Bantu tribe of sub-Saharan Africa.

Siddi Tribe performers said that their culture could be African but their heart is Indian.

New Delhi: The National Tribal Dance Festival (NTDF) commenced in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. During the programme, the African-origin Siddi tribe performed a dance called 'Dhamal'. The tribe is said to have come to India around 850 years ago. While speaking to ANI, a performer asserted that their heart is Indian while their culture is African.

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: African origin Siddi tribe who came to India 850 years ago performed their cultural dance form at the National Tribal Dance Festival in Raipur pic.twitter.com/V3DVXraKWm

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) November 3, 2022

Siddi folk artist, Abdul, told ANI, "Culture could be African but our heart is Indian. We are now Indian only. There is no such country like India."

Our culture could be African but our heart is Indian. Around 850 yrs ago, our ancestors came from Africa & brought along African culture & settled here. Our group is still keeping the culture alive. We're now Indian only. There's no such country as India: Abdul, Siddi folk artist pic.twitter.com/FWK0KF3TBK

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) November 3, 2022

It is assumed that this community initially belonged to the Bantu tribe of sub-Saharan Africa. According to ANI, in the early days, dhol (known as dhamal in their language) and small dholkis were played as essential instruments during the dance.

Talking about the history of Siddi in India, Abdul said, "Around 850 years ago our ancestors came from Africa with the kings to India. They also brought their African culture to India and settled in the country. This group is still keeping the culture alive."

Abdul and his group inhabited the Talala taluk of Junagadh district in Gujarat.

The National Tribal Dance Festival is a 3-day festival organised by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board which will showcase the vibrancy of the tribal culture. Over 1,500 local and international artists are expected to take part in various activities during the festival.