Siddis of Haliyal taluk in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district on Sunday celebrated the re-election and swearing-in of Barack Obama as U.S. President for the second term. The function was held at Golehalli village in Haliyal taluk.
Siddis are an African tribe living in the forests of Uttara Kannada. They are jubilant that an African-American whose lineage is traced to their community has been elected to one of the most powerful posts in the world. Many elected representatives, including local MLA Sunil Hegde, participated in the function.
The community members took out a procession and men and women performed the traditional Phugadi dance. A huge cake was cut on the dais.
Diyog Siddi, who is the brain behind the celebrations, said Mr. Obama symbolised the pride of the African-American community.
Mr. Hegde released a letter written by the community to Mr. Obama on the occasion of him being re-elected. This letter would be forwarded the American consulates in Chennai and Delhi, said Mr. Diyog Siddi.
