2,616 Abibisika (Black Gold) Points

Rank: Abibifahodie Asafo (Black Liberation Warrior)

Last year I took a DNA test to confirm that I am a direct descendant of the Balanta ethnic group of Guinea-Bissau. This group of people originally come from the Nile Valley (Modern-day Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia) but settled in the West Afrika in what is now Guinea-Bissau.

Earlier this year, I visited my ancestral homeland. This was the first time anyone in my lineage has made it back to our Balanta homeland since the MAAFA (Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade). So it was very important for me to return with my Balanta ancestors who probably never thought they would see their home again. I am sure that they will rest more peacefully/powerfully now.

This was a very spiritual experience, with it culminating into me being bestowed a name by the local Balanta elders. That name represents a conclusion of the struggle to recover & retain my ancestral identity.

FAIYEH.