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| native_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| native_name_lang =
| pop = about 1,880,000; or 10% of Saudi Arabia’s native population
| pop = about 1,880,000; or about 5% of Saudi Arabia’s total population
| regions = [[Riyadh]], [[Dammam]], [[Jeddah]], [[Mecca]]
| regions = [[Riyadh]], [[Dammam]], [[Jeddah]], [[Mecca]]
| langs = [[Arabic]]
| langs = [[Arabic]]
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| related_groups = [[Afro-Arabs]], [[Afro-Jordanians]], [[Afro-Palestinians]], [[Afro-Syrians]], [[Afro-Iraqis]], [[Afro-Omanis]]
| related_groups = [[Afro-Arabs]], [[Afro-Jordanians]], [[Afro-Palestinians]], [[Afro-Syrians]], [[Afro-Iraqis]], [[Afro-Omanis]]
}}
}}
⚫
'''Afro-Saudis''', also known as '''African Saudis''' and '''Black Saudis''', are [[Saudis|Saudi]] citizens of partial or full [[Sub-Saharan Africa|black African]] heritage. They are spread all around the country, but they are mostly found in the major cities of [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1256671/saudi-arabia|title=What it means to be a black Saudi|date=March 1, 2018|website=Arab News}}</ref> Afro-Saudis speak [[Arabic]] and adhere to [[Islam]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Saudi-Arabia|title=Saudi Arabia - Religion|website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref> While some black Saudis descend from slaves brought through the [[Arab slave trade]],<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2020/07/a-black-saudi-author-focuses-on-a-neglected-history/|title=Black Saudi Author Focuses on Neglected History of African Migration and Slavery|date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> the majority descend from Muslim [[pilgrims]], primarily from [[West Africa]], who settled in the cities of [[Mecca]] and [[Jeddah]].<ref name="obaid">{{cite news |last1=Obaid |first1=Ruba |title=Saudi Arabia's African roots traced to annual Hajj pilgrimage and British colonization |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1256666/saudi-arabia |access-date=27 March 2024 |agency=Arab News |date=1 March 2018 |language=en}}</ref>


The term "takarnah", meaning people of [[takrur]], is sometimes used to refer to Hejazis of West African descent,<ref>{{cite news |title=الأفارقة.. مائدة منوّعة وخصوصية جذابة |url=https://www.aleqt.com/2009/09/04/article_270023.html |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=صحيفة الاقتصادية |date=4 September 2009 |language=ar}}</ref> though their origins are diverse. This is evident in family names such as [[Hausa people|Hawsawi]], [[Fallata|Fallatah]], and [[Borno State|Bernawi]].<ref name="obaid"/>
⚫
'''Afro-Saudis''' are [[Saudis|Saudi]] citizens of partial or full [[Sub-Saharan Africa|black African]] heritage. Afro-Saudis are the largest [[Afro-Arab]] group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mena.fes.de/events/e/being-black-in-the-mena-region|title=Being "Black" in the MENA region|website=mena.fes.de}}</ref> They are spread all around the country, but they are mostly found in the major cities of [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1256671/saudi-arabia|title=What it means to be a black Saudi|date=March 1, 2018|website=Arab News}}</ref> Afro-Saudis speak [[Arabic]] and adhere to [[Islam]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Saudi-Arabia|title=Saudi Arabia - Religion|website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref> Their origins date back centuries ago to [[Islam in Africa|African Muslim]] migrants settling in [[Saudi Arabia]], and to the [[Arab slave trade]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2020/07/a-black-saudi-author-focuses-on-a-neglected-history/|title=Black Saudi Author Focuses on Neglected History of African Migration and Slavery|date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Bilal.jpg|thumb|[[Bilal ibn Rabah]], an [[Abyssinia]]n who was enslaved by [[Pre-Islamic Arabia|Pre-Islamic Arabs]] was [[Islam|Islam’s]] first [[Muezzin]]]]
[[File:Bilal.jpg|thumb|[[Bilal ibn Rabah]], an [[Abyssinia]]n who was enslaved by [[Pre-Islamic Arabia|Pre-Islamic Arabs]] was [[Islam|Islam's]] first [[Muezzin]]]]


[[Arabia]] and [[Africa]] have 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 the [[Horn of Africa]], as early as the 3rd and 2nd millenniums BC.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Richards|first1=Martin |last2=Rengo|first2=Chiara|last3=Cruciani|first3=Fulvio|last4=Gratrix|first4=Fiona|last5=Wilson|first5=James F.|last6=Scozzari|first6=Rosaria|last7=Macaulay|first7=Vincent|last8=Torroni|first8=Antonio|title=Extensive Female-Mediated Gene Flow from Sub-Saharan Africa into Near Eastern Arab Populations|journal=The American Journal of Human Genetics|date=April 2003|volume=72|issue=4|pages=1058–1064|doi=10.1086/374384|pmid=12629598|pmc=1180338}}</ref>
[[Arabia]] and [[Africa]] have 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 the [[Horn of Africa]], as early as the 3rd and 2nd millenniums BC.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Richards|first1=Martin |last2=Rengo|first2=Chiara|last3=Cruciani|first3=Fulvio|last4=Gratrix|first4=Fiona|last5=Wilson|first5=James F.|last6=Scozzari|first6=Rosaria|last7=Macaulay|first7=Vincent|last8=Torroni|first8=Antonio|title=Extensive Female-Mediated Gene Flow from Sub-Saharan Africa into Near Eastern Arab Populations|journal=The American Journal of Human Genetics|date=April 2003|volume=72|issue=4|pages=1058–1064|doi=10.1086/374384|pmid=12629598|pmc=1180338}}</ref>

Many Afro-Saudis are descendants of slaves, trafficked mainly via the Ancient [[Red Sea slave trade]]. Historically, the institution of slavery in the region of the later Saudi Arabia was reflected in the institution of [[slavery in the Rashidun Caliphate]] (632–661) [[slavery in the Umayyad Caliphate]] (661–750), [[slavery in the Abbasid Caliphate]] (750–1258), [[slavery in the Mamluk Sultanate]] (1258–1517) and finally [[slavery in the Ottoman Empire]] (1517–1918). [[Slavery in Saudi Arabia]] was not abolished until 1962.


==Population==
==Population==
In 2021, their population was 1,880,000, or 10% of Saudi Arabia’s 18,800,000 native population.<ref name="auto"/> <ref> https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saudi-arabia/ </ref> <ref> https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal </ref>
In 2021, their population was 1,880,000, or around 5% of Saudi Arabia's 35,950,000 population.<ref name="auto"/> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/saudi-arabia/|title=Saudi Arabia|date=October 8, 2024|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|via=CIA.gov}}</ref>


==Social condition==
==Social condition==
Slaves in the [[Middle East]] were allowed to own land. Children of two slaves were born into slavery, however the child of a free man and his [[Islamic views on concubinage|concubine]] (sex slave) were not born a slave if the father awknowledged fatherhood. Islamic Law allowed for Muslims to enslave non-Muslims, unless they were [[zimmis]] (protected minorities who had accepted Muslim rule), and slaves were therefore non-Muslims imported from non-Muslim lands outside of the Empire.<ref name="auto1">Toledano, E. R. (2014). The Ottoman Slave Trade and Its Suppression: 1840-1890. USA: Princeton University Press. 6-7</ref>
⚫
Unlike in the [[Americas]] of the 19th century, slaves in the [[Middle East]] were allowed to own land, and their children were generally not born into slavery. Also, conversion to [[Islam]] precluded further servitude and gave freedom. Skin color played a distinctive role even amongst slaves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fairplanet.org/dossier/beyond-slavery/forgotten-slavery-the-arab-muslim-slave-trade/|title=Forgotten slavery: The Arab-Muslim slave trade &#124; FairPlanet|first=Fair|last=Planet|website=Fair Planet}}</ref> Many activists amongst Afro-Saudis complain that they are not given media representation and are unable to find opportunities to improve their social condition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/563c58f34.html|title=Refworld &#124; Saudi Arabia: Treatment of racial minorities, particularly black African Saudi nationals, by society and authorities (2012-2013)|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|last=Refugees|website=Refworld}}</ref>
However, the conversion of a non-Muslim slave to Islam after their enslavement did not require the enslaver to manumit his slave.<ref name="auto1"/>

⚫
Skin color played a distinctive role even amongst slaves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fairplanet.org/dossier/beyond-slavery/forgotten-slavery-the-arab-muslim-slave-trade/|title=Forgotten slavery: The Arab-Muslim slave trade|first=Bob|last=Koigi|website=Fair Planet}}</ref> Many activists amongst Afro-Saudis complain that they are not given media representation and are unable to find opportunities to improve their social condition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/563c58f34.html|title=Saudi Arabia: Treatment of racial minorities, particularly black African Saudi nationals, by society and authorities (2012-2013)|publisher=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada|via=Refworld}}</ref>


==Notable Afro-Saudis==
==Notable Afro-Saudis==
* [[Abdullah Al-Deayea]]
* [[Hamad Al-Montashari]]
* [[Abdullah Al-Khaibari]]
* [[Abbas Al-Shengeeti]]
* [[Firas Al-Buraikan]]
* [[Hamdan Al-Shamrani]]
* [[Hamdan Al-Shamrani]]
*[[Majed Abdullah]]
*[[Majed Abdullah]]
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*[[Tareg Hamedi]]
*[[Tareg Hamedi]]
*[[Hawsawi|Hawsawi family]]
*[[Hawsawi|Hawsawi family]]
*[[Muhammad Saad al-Beshi]]
*[[Fahad Al-Muwallad]]
*[[Fahad Al-Muwallad]]
*[[Mohamed Kanno]]
*[[Mohamed Kanno]]
*[[Etab]]
*[[Etab]]
* [[Saud Abdulhamid]]
* [[Saud Abdulhamid]]
* [[Saud Khariri]]
* [[Ahmed Abdulla]]
* [[Ahmed Abdulla]]
* [[Rayyanah Barnawi]]
* [[Rayyanah Barnawi]]
* [[Mohamed Al-Deayea]]
* [[Mukhtar Ali]]
* [[Mukhtar Ali]]
* [[Sultan Al-Deayea]]
* [[Khaled Aziz]]
* [[Dalia Mubarak]]
* [[Redha Tukar]]


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:Saudi Arabian people of African descent]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabian people of African descent]]
[[Category:African diaspora in the Middle East]]
[[Category:African diaspora in the Middle East]]
[[Category:African diaspora in the Arab world]]

Latest revision as of 02:49, 30 November 2024

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 (mostly Sunni)
Related ethnic groups
Afro-Arabs, Afro-Jordanians, Afro-Palestinians, Afro-Syrians, Afro-Iraqis, Afro-Omanis

Afro-Saudis, also known as African Saudis and Black Saudis, are Saudi citizens of partial or full black African heritage. They are spread all around the country, but they are mostly found in the major cities of Saudi Arabia.[1] Afro-Saudis speak Arabic and adhere to Islam.[2] While some black Saudis descend from slaves brought through the Arab slave trade,[3] the majority descend from Muslim pilgrims, primarily from West Africa, who settled in the cities of Mecca and Jeddah.[4]

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

History

[edit]
Bilal ibn Rabah, an Abyssinian who was enslaved by Pre-Islamic Arabs was Islam's first Muezzin

Arabia and Africa have 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 the Horn of Africa, as early as the 3rd and 2nd millenniums BC.[6]

Many Afro-Saudis are descendants of slaves, trafficked mainly via the Ancient Red Sea slave trade. Historically, the institution of slavery in the region of the later Saudi Arabia was reflected in the institution of slavery in the Rashidun Caliphate (632–661) slavery in the Umayyad Caliphate (661–750), slavery in the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258), slavery in the Mamluk Sultanate (1258–1517) and finally slavery in the Ottoman Empire (1517–1918). Slavery in Saudi Arabia was not abolished until 1962.

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]

Slaves in the Middle East were allowed to own land. Children of two slaves were born into slavery, however the child of a free man and his concubine (sex slave) were not born a slave if the father awknowledged fatherhood. Islamic Law allowed for Muslims to enslave non-Muslims, unless they were zimmis (protected minorities who had accepted Muslim rule), and slaves were therefore non-Muslims imported from non-Muslim lands outside of the Empire.[8] However, the conversion of a non-Muslim slave to Islam after their enslavement did not require the enslaver to manumit his slave.[8]

Skin color played a distinctive role even amongst slaves.[9] Many activists amongst Afro-Saudis complain that they are not given media representation and are unable to find opportunities to improve their social condition.[10]

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. ^ a b "Black Saudi Author Focuses on Neglected History of African Migration and Slavery". July 24, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Obaid, Ruba (1 March 2018). "Saudi Arabia's African roots traced to annual Hajj pilgrimage and British colonization". Arab News. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  5. ^ "الأفارقة.. مائدة منوّعة وخصوصية جذابة". صحيفة الاقتصادية (in Arabic). 4 September 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  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. PMC 1180338. PMID 12629598.
  7. ^ "Saudi Arabia". Central Intelligence Agency. October 8, 2024 – via CIA.gov.
  8. ^ a b Toledano, E. R. (2014). The Ottoman Slave Trade and Its Suppression: 1840-1890. USA: Princeton University Press. 6-7
  9. ^ Koigi, Bob. "Forgotten slavery: The Arab-Muslim slave trade". Fair Planet.
  10. ^ "Saudi Arabia: Treatment of racial minorities, particularly black African Saudi nationals, by society and authorities (2012-2013)". Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada – via Refworld.
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