HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE STORY OF YOUR ANCESTORS

 

If you're like me, you're probably a child from the African diaspora, so you can't have access to african archives or have african references to understand the story of your ancestors and your country. I 'm going to show you how you can gather a maximum of informations in 5 steps. 

1. FIND YOUR ETHNIC GROUP

It's good to refer to your origins with the name of your country. Okay you're from CONGO, NAIJAH, IVORY COAST... But do you know that these countries were divided into tribes before Berlin Conference in 1884 ? So according to me , it woul be more accurate to say. "I'm Igbo and I'm from Naijah, I'm Peulh and I'm from Guinea". Arab people bring a lot of importance to their ethnic groups. I see it as a way to be more specific about where you're from. 

2. WHO COLONIZED YOUR COUNTRY ?

It's simple. Just Google it, read books about it. Then you'll be able to gather some informations about who colonized you country, it's very important because your last name could have been changed by the colon/slaver. Let's take an exemple the word DANXOME/DANHOMEY. This word comes from fongbé, a language which is spoken in Benin. French slavers came in Benin and changed this for DAHOMEY because they could'nt pronounce it. 

 Benin, Brazil and Sao-Tomé  has also been colonized by Portugal. That's why we often see black people with the last name D'Almeida or De Souza. In Benin, these people are called agoudas. Maybe you're an agouda and you ignore it...

3. READ THE ALPHABET OF YOUR TRIBE

You probably ignore it but in Africa, we have more than 30 alphabets. Tifinagh with amazigh people, Yoruba alphabet, Fongbe alphabet ... Try to write your name with the alphabet of your country. You will see the real pronunciation of your name. 

4. ASK QUESTIONS TO YOUR FAMILY

This one will help you a lot in your journey. Just ask them all types of questions." What does my name my mean ? Do I have other names ? Dad what's your third name ? What about his meaning ?  ". 

5. ACT LIKE AN ARCHIVIST

Do not hesitate to do your own research like an archivist. Read thesis about your ethnic group. Google your last name, look at pictures of your family. You'll find a lot of informations on blogs like Cairn.fr, Persée.fr

Knowing the story of your ancestors, 

it's also knowing yourself.

it allows you to create your own identity.

it's also a way to be proud of your culture. 

it's a way to write the story of your country without necessarily slave-relate everything. 

it's being rich in knowledge, so nobody can allow themselves to talk for you. 

it's also a form of self-love. 

it's a way to avoid cultural alienation.

So stay curious. 

https://www.cairn.info/revue-rue-descartes-2007-4-page-67.htm