A Community Stay
We as a community; is a testament to the rich blend of culture, customs and knowledge. We bring to you the journey of several generations. 
Damami is a women- led project that offers authentic travel experiences and learning opportunities in a village called Lingadabailu, Yellapur, Uttara Kannada, Karwar, western ghats of India. Our goal is provide meaningful and unforgettable memories to travellers and that positively impact the local economy, culture and the environment.
The name DAMAMI traces back to when a community now know as the Siddi community migrated centuries ago, leaving behind a life they once knew back in Africa. Carrying only a few fragments of their home, they set off on a journey to a new land. One of the possessions, which they held close to their hearts was a musical instrument, called Damami. It slowly became a representation of a home that they once remembered and now held utmost importance to us. It became a part of our festivities. This musical instrument reflects our happiness, sorrows and trepidations during celebrations. The name ‘Damami’ was chosen for this project as a way to vocalise these forgotten memories. It is a blend that we are creating of multiple cultures.
A space to connect
everyone.
Who Are
SIDDI
The
India's Siddi is a large Afro-descendant community. It is believed that they have existed in India since the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat for almost a millennium. They are an ethnic group descended from Bantu people from South East Africa and brought to the Indian sub- continent by Portuguese merchants. The Siddi community is largely settled in villages and smaller settlements
scattered across isolated villages and interior forests. The Siddi have their own unique tribal and cultural characteristics and speak either Konkani, Urdu or Marathi as their primary language. As the Siddi community settled in the Yellapura Taluk of Uttara Kannada, they learnt to converse in mostly Konkani and Kannada. However, socially, the Siddis are considered to be one of the most marginalised communities.
India's Siddi community is a unique group with a rich cultural heritage. They have preserved their cultural identity and are known for their love for music and dance. The music and dance revolve around stories regarding themselves, their history, beliefs, culture, and traditions. The community's greatest strengths lie in the knowledge and stories that they have preserved.