Paper long abstract:

African movement to Asia is a centuries old phenomenon but one which has not received much scholarly attention. There are communities of Afro-Asians in contemporary Asia. Moreover, some Asians can trace the migration of their African ancestors back to half a millennium.

Archival and oral accounts are complementary to an investigation of the silent history and forced migration of Africans. Through case studies, assimilation, social mobility, marginalization and issues of identity, perhaps we can begin to understand the current status of Afro-Asians.

This paper explores the vibrant African cultural influences that are alive in Asia today.