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Afro-Saudis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Afro-Saudis
Total population
about 1,880,000; or about 5% of Saudi Arabia’s total population
Regions with significant populations
Riyadh,Dammam,Jeddah,Mecca
Languages
Arabic
Religion
Islam(mostlySunni)
Related ethnic groups
Afro-Arabs,Afro-Jordanians,Afro-Palestinians,Afro-Syrians,Afro-Iraqis,Afro-Omanis

Afro-Saudis,also known asAfrican SaudisandBlack Saudis,areSaudicitizens of partial or fullblack Africanheritage. They are spread all around the country, but they are mostly found in the major cities ofSaudi Arabia.[1]Afro-Saudis speakArabicand adhere toIslam.[2]While some black Saudis descend from slaves brought through theArab slave trade,[3]the majority descend from Muslimpilgrims,primarily fromWest Africa,who settled in the cities ofMeccaandJeddah.[4]

The term "takarnah", meaning people oftakrur,is sometimes used to refer to Hejazis of West African descent,[5]though their origins are diverse. This is evident in family names such asHawsawi,Fallatah,andBernawi.[4]

History[edit]

Bilal ibn Rabah,anAbyssinianwho was enslaved byPre-Islamic ArabswasIslam’sfirstMuezzin

ArabiaandAfricahave been in contact starting with the obsidian exchange networks of the 7th millennium BC. These networks were strengthened by the rise of Egyptian dynasties of the 4th millennium BC. Anthropologists have indicated the likely existence of settlements in Arabia, from the people of theHorn of Africa,as early as the 3rd and 2nd millenniums BC.[6]

Population[edit]

In 2021, their population was 1,880,000, or around 5% of Saudi Arabia’s 35,950,000 population.[3][7]

Social condition[edit]

Unlike in theAmericasof the 19th century, slaves in theMiddle Eastwere allowed to own land, and their children were generally not born into slavery. Also, conversion toIslamprecluded further servitude and gave freedom. Skin color played a distinctive role even amongst slaves.[8]Many activists amongst Afro-Saudis complain that they are not given media representation and are unable to find opportunities to improve their social condition.[9]

Notable Afro-Saudis[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"What it means to be a black Saudi".Arab News.March 1, 2018.
  2. ^"Saudi Arabia - Religion".Encyclopedia Britannica.
  3. ^ab"Black Saudi Author Focuses on Neglected History of African Migration and Slavery".July 24, 2020.
  4. ^abObaid, Ruba (1 March 2018)."Saudi Arabia's African roots traced to annual Hajj pilgrimage and British colonization".Arab News.Retrieved27 March2024.
  5. ^"الأفارقة.. مائدة منوّعة وخصوصية جذابة".صحيفة الاقتصادية(in Arabic). 4 September 2009.Retrieved27 March2024.
  6. ^Richards, Martin; Rengo, Chiara; Cruciani, Fulvio; Gratrix, Fiona; Wilson, James F.; Scozzari, Rosaria; Macaulay, Vincent; Torroni, Antonio (April 2003)."Extensive Female-Mediated Gene Flow from Sub-Saharan Africa into Near Eastern Arab Populations".The American Journal of Human Genetics.72(4): 1058–1064.doi:10.1086/374384.PMC1180338.PMID12629598.
  7. ^https:// cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saudi-arabia/
  8. ^Planet, Fair."Forgotten slavery: The Arab-Muslim slave trade | FairPlanet".Fair Planet.
  9. ^Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for."Refworld | Saudi Arabia: Treatment of racial minorities, particularly black African Saudi nationals, by society and authorities (2012-2013)".Refworld.
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