Out of Africa? Americans search for ancestry

[Ayinde]

By Camille Feanny
CNN

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Tina Dunkley has spent decades trying to discover her roots.

But like most African-Americans, she was finding that the search for family history is not so simple. The legacy of the slave trade, and sketchy records from the sale and transfer of Africans throughout the United States, makes the hunt for ancestors a daunting task.

Now Dunkley and thousands of other African-Americans are turning to science like DNA technology to unlock the portals to their past. She says that it is worth all the effort.

"You have all these unknowns, these blanks that you want to fill," she says. "I liken it to someone trying to find their birth parent, you just want to know."

Africans in America

One group participating in such a long-term genealogical study is the Gullah/Geechee Nation of South Carolina -- a group thought to have clear African ancestry as a result of their relative isolation on islands off Georgia's coast during and after slavery.

The African-American DNA Roots Project, launched by Jackson of Boston University and Bert Ely from the University of South Carolina, seeks to link African-Americans like the Gullah/Geechee to particular West African tribes using DNA analysis.

Scientific results indicate that the Gullah's genetic lines were not traced back to just one African country, but spanned across several countries on the continent. They also determined that the people have much less European ancestry compared with other African-Americans.

This helps to explain the preservation of much of their language and culture. .

Queen Quet, chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, said "We know at least through historical records that West Africa is where our roots are, so now to narrow it down to specific countries for each family is the key."

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/05/27/genetics.africa/

[Yeefon_Abena_Mawus]

Great Greetings to You!

When I first noticed, (I believe it was Howard University - not sure), a group offering kits to determine what ethnic group African Americans were associated with, I became excited, because at first glance it would appear - alas, a way has been made available to provide information with regards to our direct lineage. However, I began to ponder the possible, (probable as far as history suggests)consequences which might arise, with the harboring of genetic information on a group of people - especially AFRICAN people.  While at first glance it appears the information might be used  harmlessly and positively, as in advancing medical breathroughs specific to African American diseases, not to mention the excitement derived from knowing what ethnic group your ancestors come from, I'd  rather like to think I have made the right choice by using the methods of the "ancients" for such a purpose.

Trained individuals have the ability (through first science - which is not inferior to modern science), to determine your ancestry, without the use of so called modern science.  I have used these methods by more than one individual and without fail the answers have been unequivocal - indicating their accuracy.

When the powers that be has in his/her hands genectic information - it gives them yet another tool to  vanquish and ultimiately annihilate a people they have been trying to get rid of for more than one season.

Yeefon Abena Mawusi

[treely]

peace to this board:

Yeefon Abena Mawusi
can you extend some education on what you
stated here ?
...

Trained individuals have the ability (through first science - which is not inferior to modern science), to determine your ancestry, without the use of so called modern science.  I have used these methods by more than one individual and without fail the answers have been unequivocal - indicating their accuracy.  

...
i am very interested in finding out information about
what part of the continent of "africa" i
am from but am not interested in going to a dna clinic
to be tampered with.
...
thank you as i wait for your response.
~~~
)(

[Oshun_Auset]

Although I put more belief in the ancient readers, than in modern science(My ancestry has been identified as a Yoruba Igbo combination by such means)...I have accepted a long time ago, I will never know exactly what combination of other peoples I might be. Pan-Africanism as an ideology has preventing me from obsessing over micro-nationalism..and allowed me to concentrate on the larger picture of fighting oppression and exploitation of all African people. We did loose some things as stolen Africans. That is expected considering the horrific institution we were and are under. But until we get rid of capitalism the expression and development of the African personality will be crushed(on the continent and in the diaspora)...So for me it is "first things first".  Once we organize as a people, we can concentrate on repairing our true selves...This is not to say we shouldn't get back to our roots...but If we continue to be under the oppressors thumb. We will continue to loose ourselves. If we find out what ethnic group we are from and capitalism has destroyed the culture of our family at home...What good is it to know?

[Bantu_Kelani]

In terms of every Black American, West Indian and Black South American knowing which African Kingdoms or Empires their forefathers came from precisely, wouldn't it increase the existent tribal or ethnic wars some more? The essence of tribalism or ethnic conflict is "group-parity". So, I think with the overwhelming number of Black people today who are ignorant about their ancestors' enlightened spiritual wisdom, if these descendants of American slaves knew where their forefathers came from tribal and ethnic divisions will exacerbate; as it is Western colonialism and its educational system devoid of traditional humanist and collectivist values that worsened conflicts between many African tribes.  

As Diaspora Africans feel the need to learn more about their roots, it is very important they do not stick to the White philosophies or ideologies, or else our people throughout the world will be vulnerable for more exploitation.

B.K

[Oshun_Auset]

In terms of every Black American, West Indian and Black South American knowing which African Kingdoms or Empires their forefathers came from precisely, wouldn't it increase the existent tribal or ethnic wars some more? The essence of tribalism or ethnic conflict is "group-parity". So, I think with the overwhelming number of Black people today who are ignorant about their ancestors' enlightened spiritual wisdom, if these descendants of American slaves knew where their forefathers came from tribal and ethnic divisions will exacerbate. As it is Western colonialism and its educational system devoid of traditional humanist and collectivist values that worsened conflicts between many African tribes.  

As Diaspora Africans feel the need to learn more about their roots, it is very important they do not stick to the White philosophies or ideologies, or else our people throughout the world will be vulnerable for more exploitation.

B.K

I agree Kelani, the only reason I wanted to know is because I would have liked to follow the spiritual practice of my direct ancestors (Ifa of the Yoruba/Vudun of the Dahomey ect.)...otherwise, as a Pan-Africanist, to dwell on the subject of what ethnic group one is a part of would be counter productive to the unification, organization, and liberation of African people globally...

[Yeefon_Abena_Mawus]

Great Greetings to All!

TREELY

A Preist/Priestess (Spiritual leader) inquires of the Orishas/Ancestors for answers as to your direct lineage.  One must be aware of charletains, however, rest assured with full understanding of our former cultural/spiritual practices, you can feel confident in the answers received, if you simply ask for yourself .  I will be going to the Motherland in October to become better familiar with performing these practices in the way of my ancestors. Fon (Dahomey).  (Originally to have been in July - however, the ancestors have spoken)


In Unity,

Yeefon Abena Mawusi