Siddi Community

Film Highlight
The film Rhythm of Dammam, which sheds light on the marginalized Siddi community in India, is being showcased at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

Historical Background
The Siddis are descendants of African slaves who were brought to India by the Portuguese in the late 1600s, arriving as part of the trans-Indian Ocean slave trade.

Geographical Distribution
The majority of the Siddi population resides along India’s western coast, primarily in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Scheduled Tribe Status
In 2003, the Indian government officially recognized the Siddis as a Scheduled Tribe. They are also included in the list of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by the central government.

Family Structure
Siddis predominantly follow a nuclear family model, with parents and their children living together. However, extended family systems are also common within the community.

Cultural Heritage
The Siddi community is well-known for its vibrant folk music and traditional dances, such as Dhamal and Rasda, with Dhamal being typically performed by men.

International Film Festival of India (IFFI)

Overview
Founded in 1952, the International Film Festival of India is an annual event held in Goa. Since 2004, the festival has been permanently hosted in Goa, organized jointly by the National Film Development Corporation of India Ltd. (NFDC), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the State Government of Goa, and the Indian Film Industry.

Objectives
The festival provides a global platform for filmmakers to showcase their work, promoting an understanding and appreciation of diverse film cultures within their social and cultural contexts. It also fosters international friendship and cooperation through cinematic art.

Accreditation
IFFI holds the distinction of being the only film festival in South Asia accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers and Associations (FIAPF) as a Competitive Feature Film Festival.