A little-known chapter of Black history is gaining traction after a viral social media post spotlighted the Sheedi community of Pakistan, an Afro-Pakistani population with centuries-old roots on the Indian subcontinent.
The renewed interest follows a post by Amina Mamaty, a cultural traveler and former Miss Young International finalist, who shared footage of her visit with the Sheedi people during a recent trip to Pakistan.
In the video, Mamaty describes the community as the unexpected highlight of her journey, calling their history, hospitality, and cultural energy “unforgettable.”
“Afro Pakistani? I had to see it for myself,” Mamaty says in the video, explaining that she did not expect to encounter a Black community in Pakistan. “Their story bridges continents in a way that most people never hear about.”
Centuries-Old African Roots
Historians trace the origins of the Sheedi (also spelled Siddi or Shidi) to East Africa, particularly the Swahili Coast, including parts of present-day Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique.
While records vary, scholars agree that people of African descent arrived in South Asia centuries ago through trade networks, military service, and forced migration during the Indian Ocean slave trade.
Today, Sheedi communities are primarily found in Sindh and Balochistan provinces, where they are fully integrated into Pakistani society. They speak local languages, practice regional customs, and identify as Pakistani, while maintaining aspects of African cultural heritage.
According to Mamaty, most visible African traditions have faded over time, except for rhythm and drumming, which remain central to Sheedi music and celebrations.
“What really stayed with me wasn’t just their history,” she said, “it was their joy, their laughter, their sense of community.”
Challenging Narrow Narratives
The video has resonated strongly with U.S. audiences, particularly African Americans, many of whom expressed surprise at learning about a Black community in South Asia. Commenters described the post as eye-opening and praised it for expanding conversations about the global African diaspora beyond commonly cited regions such as the Americas and Europe.
Members of the Sheedi community featured in the video told Mamaty she was the first Black woman visitor many of them had hosted and encouraged more people from the African diaspora to visit.
“This is the Pakistan the world doesn’t show you,” Mamaty said. “And this is the Pakistan I will never forget.”
Mamaty’s Sheedi experience is proof of the global reach of African history, challenging assumptions that Black identity is limited to specific geographies.
