Little India is an Indian

enclave An enclave is a territory (or a small territory apart of a larger one) that is entirely surrounded by the territory of one other state or entity. Enclaves may also exist within territorial waters. ''Enclave'' is sometimes used improperly to deno ...

centered on Pioneer Boulevard between 183rd and 188th streets in the city of Artesia, California. It is the largest Indian enclave in southern California. As of 2003, approximately 120 shops in the area catered to Indian customers.Sandhya Shukla. "New Immigrants, New Forms of Transnational Community: Post-1965 Indian Migrations". In Though (as of 2004) less than 5% of the city's population was Indian American, Little India contributed approximately a quarter of the city's sales tax receipts.

History

In 1965, the

Immigration and Nationality Act The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act may refer to one of several acts including: * Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 * Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 * Immigration Act of 1990 See also * List of United States immigration legisla ...

abolished restrictive quotas on immigrants from certain regions. During the ensuing increase in immigration from India to the United States, many Indians settled in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The region's first Indian grocery store was initially established in Hollywood, but it relocated to Artesia in 1970 at the behest of Indians living in Orange County. Other Indian immigrants also settled in Artesia in the 1970s, which was relatively inexpensive at the time. As of 1986, there were about 25 Indian businesses on Pioneer Boulevard; the number had grown to about 90 (or 80% of the retail businesses in the core area) as of 1995. In the 1980s and 1990s, there were tensions in the community between Indian businesses/residents and non-Indian businesses/residents. Some local politicians proposed signage officially designating the area as "Little India" in 2004, but this proved divisive. Many opposed such signage on the grounds that it would improperly privilege one ethnic group in a diverse area. Ultimately, the area was designated the Artesia International and Cultural Shopping District on street signs. As of the late 2010s and early 2020s, the area had begun to struggle as a result of competition from Indian businesses elsewhere in the Los Angeles area and on the internet.

Culture

Cultural events held in Little India include celebrations of Indian Independence Day,

Diwali Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali ( IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It is ...

, and

Navratri Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in the honour of the goddess Durga. It spans over nine nights (and ten days), first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar), and again in the month of Sharada. It is ob ...

. The largest Indian immigrant newspaper in southern California is based in Artesia.

History

Culture

See also

References

Further reading/viewing