Shaping Membership, Defining Nation The Cultural Politics of African Indians in South Asia

by Obeng, Pashington

• ISBN13: 9780739114285
• ISBN10: 073911428X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-03-09
• Publisher: LEXINGTON BOOKS

Summary

A compelling analysis of the complex history, identities, and self-determination of diasporic Africans (Habshis/Siddis) of Karnataka, South India. It addresses African Indian religious beliefs and practices, their deployment of expressive cultural expressions and forms of social and political power through which they engage effecitvely Indian's multi-religious, and complex social stratification systems.

Author Biography

Pashington Obeng is assistant professor of Africana studies at Wellesley College and Harvard University.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. xiii
Brief History of African Presence in India	p. 1
Trade and Migratory Patterns	p. 4
Peoples and Polities of the Deccan	p. 8
Creative African Involvement in Deccan Political History	p. 11
Military Roles of Habshis/Siddis (African Indians)	p. 12
Habshi/Siddi (African Indians) Imperial Rule of Janjira	p. 17
Habshis (African Indians) Under European Empires	p. 18
Identity	p. 22
Education, Economic, and Occupational Patterns	p. 43
Education	p. 44
Economic and Occupational Patterns	p. 50
Churches, Mosques, Dargahs, and Shrines	p. 79
Namma Devaru: Christianity	p. 81
Namma Devaru: Islam	p. 94
Namma Devaru: Hinduism	p. 108
Mane Devaru: Household Faith and Practice	p. 110
Fugidi, Dammam, and Sigmo: Constructing Identities	p. 131
Yaksha Gana	p. 134
Sponsored Public Articulation of Culture	p. 136
Performance and Political Action	p. 151
Family Systems: Marriage, Funerals, and Ancestors	p. 155
Extended and Nuclear Family	p. 156
Living Conditions	p. 159
Family Connections in Mainalli	p. 159
Marriage	p. 160
All Souls' Feast	p. 174
Ancestral Veneration	p. 176
Funerals	p. 180
Social and Political Organization	p. 189
Budavanta (Ugingeri)	p. 194
Sanghas	p. 198
Siddi Development Society (SDS)	p. 201
Conclusion	p. 205
Reference	p. 211
Index	p. 221
About the Author	p. 227
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