FindingMyRoots

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Official "back to my roots" chant

Staff

Joe Ugochukwu Ofili (Founder, Executive Director USA/Nigeria)

Aisha Bajaha (Gambia)

Henry Ikechukwu Henry Okeagu (Nigeria)

Lisa Walcott (Jamaica/USA)

Sarah Moi Hassan (Denmark)

Pauline Gikonyo (Website Designer, Kenya/Canada)

Sekina Audu (Nigeria)

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Find out which country and ethnic group your DNA traces you to. Oprah did it, why not you?

www.ancestry.com

RIP

Leader of Biafra is dead. He was 78 years old

Followers

Hot new song in Africa!

RIP Chinua Achebe

What is FINDINGMYROOTS

Joe Ugochukwu Ofili: I came up with this group because throughout the years I have lived in the USA, I have met many first-generation American Citizens who do not have a clue of whence their family originated. I find that horrible. The Egyptians have a saying, "Know thy self," with which I totally agree. This organization is meant to enable those who do not know themselves to do so. If you have any questions and/or would like to volunteer your time to enhance the movement, you may reach me via e-mail at ugo@findingmyroots.org You can also follow me on twitter/Instagram: UgoCentRiC Thank you.

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Lets start out with the traditional Igbo Masquarades. See how the spirit takes over man

Blog Archive

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  - New Jam by Adaz ft. Flavour
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The human family tree

Black America

Afrolatinos

"In Puerto Rico like in all the countries of what is called Latin America the spaniards brought people from West Africa in bondage. There was a time in Puerto Rico that people from African descent were so numerous that the Spanish government... (fearing a revolution like in Haiti) encouraged peasants from Europe to emigrate there so their wont be a Black majority; that backfired when most of the poor peasants arrive alone and married with the Afro-Boricuas, resulting in a majoritarian biracial population and in the final development of our culture. There is no Puertorican in a racial sense, Puerto Rico is a country with a biracial majority, a significant Afro-Boricua population and a small minority of people of european descent," said by Puerto Rican Citizan

Legendary Artist from Mali, West Africa

"Salif Keita is partly of griot/jeli ancestry. One of the things griots do is maintain an oral history of West Africa. They also sing praises to great people and families. That's what he's doing here: FATHER OF KALIMAMADI ONE CAN KNOW THE TRUTH BE TOO COOWARDLY TO SAY IT KNOW A REMEDY FOR THE EYES AND CIVE IT KNOW A REMEDY FOR THE BACK AND REFUSE TO OH SON OF KANCOREBA SON OF HADIA FANTA YOU ARE UNIQUE YOU ARE MIGHTY (2 times) YOU ARE THE KING!" (Youtube account holder: SingingStovepipe )

Royalty in Africa-Igwe which mean King

Jaja King of Opodo (in present day Nigeria)

He was the founder and leader of the territory of Opobo an area near the Eastern Nigeria River. This area was very favorable to trading. This trading route soon attracted the greedy Europeans who seek to capture this trading route. Ja Ja put up fierce resistance to this outside intervention. This resistance lasted for many years until at an older age of 70 he was finally captured by the British and sent into exile to the West Indies. The greatest Ibo leader of the nineteenth century never saw his kingdom again.

Traditional Fulani outfit (Designed by Babatunde Ajiboye)

This is a traditional Fulani outfit women wear to trade their famous food called fura da nono. Occasionally, it is also worn by a potential bride as she watches multiple men fight in an arena hoping to win her marriage. Who ever wins the fight wins her. The countries in Africa where the Fulani are present include Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, The Gambia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, Chad, Togo, the Central African Republic, Liberia, Sudan and Egypt. Most Fulani's religion is Islam.

South African House music

List of Greatest Kings and Queens of Africa

Timbuktu, Mali

The first University was in Africa. Timbuktu, Mali to be exact

Herodotus, ancient Greek known as father of history once stated

"the [ancient] Egyptions had burnt skin, broad nose, thick lips."

Fact

During the slave trade, the slaves that were forced to the Americas and carribean came from West Africa (countries like: Burkina Fuso, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierre Leone, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria) not South Africa, East Africa, or North Africa, etc.

There is a saying that 50 percent of Black Americans have at least one Igbo (from present day Biafra/Nigeria) ancestor.

"35 percent of all African-American males descend from a white man, a white man who most probably impregnated a black woman during slavery," said by Henry Loius Gates

"Even after death, family will remain family"

Radio shows

Lawrence Nii Nartey (every Thursday, 10pm-Midnight)
Need help in improving relationships & quality of life

Thinking of which african name to name your son? How about Ugochukwu?

Ugochukwu is a name used in the Igbo culture, in present day Nigeria. Its meaning is Eagle of GOD or GOD's blessing. The Igbos believe Chukwu (GOD) blessed the Ugo(eagle). As we all know, it is the biggest bird and no other bird flies higher than it. It is one blessed creature. This is one name that should definetely be used to name a male newborn.

Mama C, wife of exiled Paul Oniel (former Kansas City Black panther leader) in New York on a mission

Red cap represents a Chief

Young lady dances the traditional Igbo tribe dance

The Kissi tribe

The "Kissi" tribe originated from the African country named the Niger (above Nigeria). It was predominantly a nomadic tribe and members can now be found in Liberia, Guinea & Sierra Leone, Kenya & Ghana. In Sierra Leone they are a minority (10% of the population) "so we are neglected by the government, both politically and economically (said by a member of the Kissi tribe." The number seven for the Kissi's means "full circle" related to the seven days of the week; so their children are named accordingly. A woman was expected to have seven kids named chronologically, not necessarily by the day of the week they were born but by hierarchy, first, second, third etc... makes sense? The eighth child you can name whatever you wish. First girl goes by the name "Sia", second girl goes by the name "Kumba." First boy goes by the name "Sahr." Second son goes by the name "Tamba."

African-America Movie actors and producers Forrestor Whitaker and Danny Glover FINDTHEIRROOTS.

Famous African-American actors, Forrest Whitaker and Danny Glover had discovered where in Africa their from by having their DNA checked by ANCESTRY.COM (and you can too). Their DNA traced them back to the Igbo people, from a village called Nkwerre, in present day Southeastern Nigeria. During their visit, to Nkwerre, in Igboland, few years ago, they were giving Chieftancy title, in which they are now only 30 in the world. The red hats they are wearing represent that they are chiefs. Welcome back home Chief Glover and Whitaker!

Santeria Beads allowed to be worn in New York Prisons

"With adherents in Cuba and elsewhere in the Caribbean (including Brazil, Puerto Rico, Florida), Santeria juxtaposes African polytheism with Roman Catholic saints and rosary beeds...Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, told the State Of New York in 1994 that it must allow prison inmates who practice Santeria to wear multi-colored beads. (www.lexisnexis.com)"

"Blackman know yourself, don't forget your past" by femi Kuti

She woke up one day wanting to go back to her roots

The Shondrella Adventures-Pilot from beat.productions on Vimeo.

P-Square (Africa's BEST Artists) Interview by findingmyroots (UgoCentRiC Productions)

CLICK PICTURE TO SEE INTERVIEW

P-Square's brother and manger interviewed by FINDINGMYROOTS (UgoCentRiC Productions)

CLICK PICTURE TO VIEW INTERVIEW

Pay attention to the 5:14 minute, it is touching

It is very important to find yourself

Open your eyes

Egypt

In stores now. Written at age 17

Joy discusses overcoming life's struggles, fighting evil and the hustle & bustle of Harlem. She also discusses genocide in "Mama Africa." When you talk about reading a book that discusses the truth, well this is the book. A journey through reality, yes, it is breathtaking; so put on your seatbelts. She finished writing the book at 17 years of age and published it when she was 18 years old. To purchase my dear sister's book, click the picture above to purchase

JOY OFILI BOOK EXCERPT

Golden Africa

It did not start with colonial times
...Prior to that the gold flawlessly shined
It did not start with physical captivity
Prior to that there was immense prosperity
See the world was watching as the torch was lit
It traveled from the North
to the South of the continent
The people were systematically taking
things higher and higher
Until the idle ones came and burned
the entire land with fire
And today the Western world wants
to know what is going on
Somehow they got historic amnesia,
Don’t know where civilization was born

By Joy OfiliSee More

Best novel to come out of Africa.

Yoruba (Nigeria) Marriage

China and red

It is can be said that 'China Red' is an eternal theme for China, ... especially the red-colored which represents beauty, happiness and wishes

Nigerian (Benin)wakekeeping

In many African cultures, when ceremonies are held, money is thrown of the celebrant/sponsor of the event to show appreciaton. In the picture above, the person who money is being thrown on is the child of a late-father. His friends and family are showing their condoloscence by shedding money on him.

Legendary African Raggae artist

Don Jazzy & D'Banj recently signed by Kanye West

Nneka performs live in New York 2011 (FindingMyRoots)

Mbano (Biafra/Nigeria) fundraiser in New York

Biafran Flag

Over 2 million Igbos died because of this Flag. The flag of the now-defunct Republic of Biafra consists of a horizontal tricolor of red, black, and green, charged with a golden rising sun over a golden bar; the sun has eleven rays, representing the eleven provinces of Biafra. It was also the inspiration for the flag of the short-lived Republic of Benin (consisting of the Biafran-occupied Mid-Western region). It is based on the pan-African flag designed by Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.(Znaimerowski, p. 125)

Song song Hailing Biafra

Igbo (Nigeria/Biafra)

Buy this book to learn how to speak the igbo language

FINDINGMYROOTS PAST EVENTS

See flyers below

Igbo vs. Ashanti (outdoor) basketball game in NYC Saturday, June 11 2011

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