Indian Diaspora in Africa: A Profile

A fundamental characteristic of people is their movement from one place to another place; anthropology has recorded nomadism as a stage preceding human settlement in communities. Even after their evolution as communities, throughout the civilization human beings have been experiencing temporary, seasonal or permanent migration from their original habitat either voluntarily or forced. Migration is closely related to a variety of socio-economic, demographic and political factors. People who migrate also carry their socio-cultural heritage with them and protect their distinct identities. There is an increasing trend among scholars to study migrant communities, having a sense of their motherland and a differentiated identity, under the rubric of ‘Study of Diaspora’ or ‘Diasporic Study’. Originally associated with Jewish migration, the term Diaspora has received acceptance as a reference to migrant communities from any political space. This paper attempts to present a profile of Indian Diaspora in Africa.

India has more than a three thousand year history of cultural and commercial relations with Africa. Commercial relations have a longer history than cultural contacts. Indian sources indicate that there were contacts and trade relations between Dravidians and Babylonians as early as the seventh century B.C. On their way to Mesopotamia, Indian merchants and sailors would have certainly visited Southern Arabia, which is situated on the maritime route and the Eastern part of Horn of Africa- the Somali peninsula. Freya Stark writes that a flourishing maritime trade existed between India and Southern Arabia before the fourteenth century B.C. (Richard: 1954, 28-30). Indian contacts in ancient period were more visible in Eastern and Southern coast of Africa and ancient Indian epics like ‘Vedas’ and ‘Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta’, provide valuable information regarding contacts between the two regions. Daniel D.C. Don Nanjira rightly says “If we consider all early invaders of East Africa to have been foreign visitors or traders, then Indians (Hindus) were definitely among the invaders whose connections with the East African coast go back many centuries before Christ” (1976, 3). These ancient linkages flourished in medieval period through commodity trade which was utilized by European powers while discovering a new route to India in later parts of fifteenth century.

However, in modern history major gesticulates of migration are closely related to colonialism. In the days of the Raj, Indians were taken as indentured labourers to far-flung parts of the Empire in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. In this period Indians went abroad in three different capacities- (i) as indentured workers in the sugar colonies of Caribbean, Oceania and Africa, (ii) under Kangani / maistry system to Malaysia and Ceylon, and (iii) as free or passenger Indians primarily in East Africa (Dubey: 2010, 1-2). It has been estimated that during 1829-1924 about 769,437 Indians migrated to Mauritius, South Africa, Reunion Island, Seychelles and East African region (Kadekar: 2005, 36). Later periods of the colonial era also witnessed increased frequency of free emigration as traders, skilled artisans, bankers, petty contractors, clerks, professionals and entrepreneurs.

In the post independent period, Middle East, Northern America and Western Europe emerged as favorite destinations for the highly skilled Indian immigrants. However, prevailing opportunities in Africa still attract significant number of Indian migrants. Majority of the new immigrants go there on temporary work permit and do not seek permanent citizenship. After working there for some time, they explore opportunity in Western countries, and as soon as they get a chance they emigrate from these countries. In late 1990s, this trend increased many fold and illegal migrants also took advantage of this. Thus we see a huge number of people reaching the continent without having legal documents. It is noteworthy to mention a report published in ‘The Analyst’, a Kenyan magazine, ‘While official figures show that only 1918 work permits were issued over a three year period - 1995 (731), 1996 (703) and 1997 (484) - unconfirmed reports state that between 30,000 and 40,000 immigrant workers from the Asian sub-continent have entered Kenya in the last four years’ (1999, 9). While the term Asian refers here to Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan immigrants, but a majority among them are Indian. A survey conducted by the author in Kenya during June-July 2007 with a sample size of 100 participants also indicates that Indian immigration to Africa is still ongoing.

Similarly, official records of the Government of India also note increasing presence of Indian communities in the African continent. The Report of the High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora released in the 2001 estimated total number of Indian Diaspora in Africa 2,063,178 which includes 1,969,708 People of Indian Origins (PIO’s), 89,405 Non Resident Indians (NRI’s) and 3,500 stateless people. They were spread in 34 countries located in various regions of the continent (2001, xlvii). Latest available estimates on overseas Indians indicate that current strength of Indian Diaspora in the continent is 2,710,645 out of those 2,536,593 are PIOs and rest 174,052 are NRIs. Currently, Indian Diaspora resides in 46 countries of Africa covering all linguistic, cultural or geographical regions of Africa (Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, 2012). Indian Diaspora in Africa constitutes 12.37 per cent of the total Diaspora of India. It would be interesting to note that among Indian Diaspora in Africa more than 93.58 per cent are PIO’s and they constitute 21.37 per cent of the global strength of PIO’s. Thus majority of the Indian communities in Africa possess citizenship of their country of adoption and many among them have attained important positions. They could be crucial in strengthening India-Africa relations.

With regard to population of Indian Diaspora in individual countries of Africa, we see substantial variation. Whereas in Mauritius Indian Diaspora constitutes 70 per cent of the total population, in Republic of Sao Tome and Principe this proportion is merely 4 per cent. Broadly speaking, we can classify the Indian Diaspora in Africa according to the size of its presence in four categories- (1) dominant strength (2) substantial strength (3) marginal strength and (4) minimal strength (Gupta R.K.: 2013, 136-146).

Dominant strength- In this category we can include countries where Indian communities make a majority in terms of total population of the country. Mauritius is the only country not only in Africa but in entire globe which could be included in this category. The High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora regarded Indian Diaspora in Mauritius as unique and distinctive as here Indian Diaspora constitutes an overwhelming majority- nearly 70 per cent of the total population and they were among first permanent settlers in the island (2001, 49). They play a vital role in the political process of the country and hold important elected posts. In the current parliament of Mauritius there are 36 members of Indian origin; although, unlike other parts of the world they are not an economically affluent community. Indians in Mauritius are not a monolithic or homogenous community. There is diversity on the basis of religion, caste, place of origin, language etc. Each of them has beautifully preserved their cultural identity. They have associations and organizations associated to their culture/language. Every township of Mauritius is graced with temples, gurdwaras, mosques and various community halls. The famous ‘Ganga Talab’ is said to be purified by the water of the holy river Ganga and is regarded as a place of pilgrimage for Hindus in Mauritius. Owing to this cultural resemblance Mauritius is often regarded as a little India away from the territory of India.

Substantial strength- This category consists of countries in which Indian communities have a population of more than 1,000,000. South Africa and Reunion Island can be included in this category. In South Africa, the total strength of Indian Diaspora is 1,218,000 and they constitute nearly 3 per cent of the total population of South Africa. They are concentrated in the major industrial centres of South Africa and around 75 per cent of the Indian community lives in Kwazulu Natal. Durban, the capital of this province accounts for a considerable part of the largely urbanized Indian population of this country (Report of High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora: 2001, 84). This concentration makes them politically influential in this area which is incidentally among highly industrialized and prosperous regions of South Africa. Similarly, in Reunion Island, the total strength of Indian Diaspora is 275,200 and they constitute almost 30 per cent of the total population.

Marginal strength- In this category, countries which have a population of Indian Diaspora between 100,000 to 10,000 could be included. By this criteria Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe would fall in this category. In these countries, strength of Indian Diaspora in terms of total population of host country is very small and is scattered in various regions. Therefore, they do not make for an influential political constituency and there is very little chance of them obtaining political offices on the basis of ethnic identity. However, the Indian Diaspora in these countries are economically well off and culturally keen to retain identity. Some of the leading journalists, prominent academicians and lawyers, who shape public opinion in these countries, are from the Indian communities.

Minimal strength- Fourth category includes countries where the strength of Indian community is less than 10000 people. There are some 32 African countries which fall under this category-Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Republic of Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kingdom of Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Swaziland and Togo. Indian communities in these countries are spread over a wide area and do not make up one constituency. Moreover, in several cases they are temporary residents working in projects and still hold an Indian Passport. Therefore, in political terms their presence is insignificant and in most of the cases they are not able to obtain political offices in their host-land. Malawi is the only exception, where the Indian community has been actively engaged in politics. There has been representation of Indian communities in parliament and government. Currently, Mr. Mohammed Sidik Mia is serving as a Deputy Minister for Irrigation and Water Development. The Institute for Policy Interaction, the most influential NGO of Malawi working on issues of governance, is headed by a PIO. But this kind of success is not seen in any other country of Africa with such a small number of Indian communities.

Conclusion

Indians have been visiting the African continent since ages. Despite age-old linkages, modern settlement of Indians in Africa is certainly linked with the colonial exploration of the continent. In the colonial period migration occurred in two ways- by force as well as by choice. Further, large scale migration occurred in the post independence period. Today, Indian communities in Africa constitute 12.37 per cent of the total strength of India Diaspora and they reside in 46 countries of Africa inhabiting all linguistic, cultural or geographical regions of the continent. These people went with limited resources and to places where the physical and climatic conditions of the region were usually very difficult. However, all the hardship was overcome with courage, hard work and dedication. The influence of Indian communities in their country of adoption varies from one country to another which is largely dependent on their size of population. In case of Mauritius, they have been able to dominate in the political and socio-cultural domain. They have also been an important pillar in the political space of South Africa as well as the socio-cultural life of Reunion Island. On the other hand, Indians have made significant contributions in other countries of Africa although their numerical strength is marginal or minimal.

Table-1 Indian Diaspora in Africa: County-wise Strength

Source: Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India (2012)

References

1. The Analyst, Nairobi, February 1999.

2. Report of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora, Indian Council of World Affairs: New Delhi, 2001.

3. Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India, Estimated Number of Overseas Indians,2012, Accessed 1 July 2014 URL: http://moia.gov.in/writereaddata/pdf/NRISPIOSData.pdf

4. Daniel D. Nanjira (1976). The Status of Aliens in East Africa, New York: Praeger Publishers.

5. Dubey Ajay (2010). ‘Indian Diaspora in Africa: Diversity and Challenges’ in Dubey Ajay (ed.) Indian Diaspora in Africa: A Comparative Perspective, New Delhi: MD Publications Pvt. Ltd.

6. Gupta R.K. (2013), ‘Indian Diaspora as a Non-State Actor in Promotion of India-Africa Partnership’ Journal of Social and Political Studies, Vol. IV (1), June 2013 pp. 135-148

7. Kadekar LN (2005). Global Indian Diaspora: An Overview, Research Monograph Hyderabad: Department of Sociology, University of Hyderabad. 8. Richard D.D. R. (1954). History of East Africa, London: Evavg Missionsverlag.