The Migration Profile of Keralites in Africa is a major research initiative undertaken by the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) in collaboration with NORKA. The project is led by Somy Solomon, who serves as the Principal Investigator.
The project seeks to document, analyse, and interpret the historical and contemporary migration patterns of people from Kerala to various regions of Africa.
Migration between Kerala and Africa has a long and layered history, shaped by trade, colonial encounters, labour mobility, education, and transnational networks. From early maritime connections across the Indian Ocean to the movement of skilled and semi-skilled workers during the colonial and postcolonial periods, Keralites have played a significant role in the socio- economic landscapes of several African countries.
This project adopts an interdisciplinary approach, combining oral history, archival research, and digital humanities methodologies. It aims to recover lived experiences that are often absent in official records, particularly those of marginalized communities, women, and families whose histories remain undocumented. Through fieldwork, interviews, and collection of personal narratives, the project foregrounds memory, identity, and belonging in migration histories.