ಕೊಂಕ್ಣಿ ಸಿದ್ದಿ ಸಮಾಜಾಚಿಂ ಲೊಕ್ ಗಿತಾಂ: ಏಕ್ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸಾತ್ಮಕ್ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ್

Akash Gaonkar and Prakash Perienkar

Siddis are a minority community of African origin, spread mostly across Uttar Kannada, Dharwad, and Belgaum districts of Karnataka. Brought to Goa as slaves by the Portuguese during medieval period, they escaped to forests due to persecution by their rulers. Being declared as a tribe by the Government of Karnataka, Siddis have a very rich legacy of cultural traits which is expressed in their dances, songs and such other traditional practices. This article presents some of the important songs of the Siddis, doing a textual analysis of them. It argues that through these songs, it is possible to get a glimpse of the history of the Siddis, their pain and sorrows and how they have coped with realities of life.

Keywords:  Siddis, folk songs, cultural changes, folk instruments