The Home Land

Further Info

This story was created at a workshop for young people from St Pauls and Easton who are researching their African heritage. The project is called “Adisa”, a word meaning “Each one to teach one” or “One who makes meanings clear”.

The workshop took place over 3 days at the Full Circle Family Learning Centre in St Pauls and was led by Dani Landau with support from Folake Shoga, Alan Cabey, Michaela Alfred-Kamara, Sylvia Vincent, Aikaterini Gegisian and Paddy Uglow, and Bristol’s Museums, Galleries & Archives.

Transcript

[African drum plays throughout].

There was no particular time in my life when I thought to myself “I want to learn about my African heritage.” For me, it has been something that I have been naturally born into.

As I was born away from home, my parents well-educated me from birth so I know and understand where I /really am coming from: Africa.

From a very young age, my parents sent me to many African-centred workshops and events, and as I grew to the age of thirteen, I went through a process called the rites of passage, which is a process which helps to prepare each individual to becoming a responsible adult or young man.

Also, I was born into a Rastafarian religion, and we as Rastafarians strongly believe in repatriation of displaced Africans. Therefore, I have /always understood that Africa is the homeland and understand that continually learning about our African heritage is the key, which also helps to free my mind from mental slavery.

Credits