Manuscript Number : SHISRRJ23642

Indian Diaspora and their Cultural Relations in Ethiopia

Authors(1) :-Niranjan Kumar Mistri

The term Diaspora refers to the people or ethnic populations who have been forced or induced to leave their homelands, becoming dispersed and spreading their culture throughout the world. The Indian Diaspora, which includes people of Indian Origin and Non-Resident Indians is a heterogeneous community globally, just like India itself. Due to this diversity, engaging and connecting with them requires different and distinct approaches. The common thread that binds them together is the idea of India and its inherent values. Historically, the dispersion of people from India and the formation of Indian Diaspora communities have resulted from different waves of migration, spanning hundreds of years. However, the Indian Diaspora in Ethiopia is comparatively smaller, with a population of less than 10000. Nevertheless, they have played a significant role in fostering India- Ethiopian cultural relations. The Indian diaspora has substantially impacted the culture and economies of Ethiopia and has earned a place of pride among the Ethiopian people. Within Ethiopia, the Indian Diaspora is involved in various professions such as entrepreneurs, traders, academicians, teachers, trainers, engineers, workers, managers, and administrators. Consequently, they play a leading role in the technological revolution taking place in Ethiopia. The contributions of the Indian Diaspora in various fields have greatly influenced India’s image abroad. This paper primarily focuses on the cultural relations of the Indian Diaspora in Ethiopia through various platforms with locals. It also examines the programs and policies implemented by the Ethiopian Government to support the cultural relations of the Indian Diaspora in the country.

Authors and Affiliations

Niranjan Kumar Mistri
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Center for African Studies, School of International Studies, JNU, India

Diaspora, Heterogeneous, Migration, Colonialism, mercantilism, Culture

  1. Banda, Paul Chiudza (2021), “India and Ethiopia: Historical relations and prospects for the future”, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist, Analysing International Relations.
  2. Beckingham, C.F. (1954), “Some Records of Ethiopia 1593-1646; being Extracts from History of High Ethiopia or Abassia by Manoel de Almeida”, With G.W.B Huntingford (London), the Hakluyt Society,4(83):88-187.
  3. Chojnacki, Stanislaw (2003), “NEW ASPECTS OF INDIA'S INFLUENCE ON THE ART AND CULTURE OF ETHIOPIA”, Istituto per l'Oriente C. A. Nallino Stable 2 (45) 5-21.
  4. Gupta, Rajneesh, ‘Non-State Actors in International Relations: A case of Indian Diaspora in
  5. Africa,’, at http://www.iriis.in/pdf/2030452091.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2013.
  6. Gervers, Michael (1983), "Traditional Cotton Costume in Ethiopia”, Rotunda (Toronto), 39-43.
  7. Gupta, Rajneesh Kumar. Role of Indian diaspora in East Africa: Challenges of Integration,
  8. 1963-2003, New Delhi: JNU. 2008.
  9. Gupta R.K. ‘Indian Diaspora as a Non-State Actor in Promotion of India-Africa Partnership’
  10. Journal of Social and Political Studies, Vol. IV (1), June 2013 pp. 135-148.
  11. Lal, Brij V (eds.) the Encyclopedia of the Indian Diaspora, Singapore: Editions Didier Millets., 2007.
  12. Pankhurst, R. (1974), Indian trade with Ethiopia, the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa in the nineteenth and early, Cahiers d’Études Africaines, 55(8): 453–497.
  13. Sheffer, Gabriel. (19860) ‘Diaspora Politics”, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  14. Sheth, V.S ‘Dynamics of Indian Diaspora in East and South Africa and changing Global Order’ in Ajay Dubey (eds.), Indian Diaspora: Global Identity, Delhi: Kalinga Publications, 2003.
  15. Sinha, Dr. Neha (2019), “An Overview of Indian Diaspora in Africa: Implications for India”, Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi.

Publication Details

Published in : Volume 6 | Issue 4 | July-August 2023
Date of Publication : 2023-07-30
License:  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Page(s) : 05-09
Manuscript Number : SHISRRJ23642
Publisher : Shauryam Research Institute

ISSN : 2581-6306

Cite This Article :

Niranjan Kumar Mistri , "Indian Diaspora and their Cultural Relations in Ethiopia", Shodhshauryam, International Scientific Refereed Research Journal (SHISRRJ), ISSN : 2581-6306, Volume 6, Issue 4, pp.05-09, July-August.2023
URL : https://shisrrj.com/SHISRRJ23642

Article Preview