ArticlesMessage From the Motherland
The Air Afrique jet began its descent into Dakar Senegal, and my two daughters
and I observed the breathtaking view of the approaching African continent. Tears
filled my eyes and my spirit soared. I thought, I'm home!
Like many people of African descent, I decided to journey to the Motherland to
search for a stronger sense of my identity as a Black woman. And yes, I found
what I was seeking. My chest warmed with pride as I drank in the sight of regal,
straight-backed women and men gliding in long, flowing boubous through the
marketplace in Dakar. I was struck by a renewed sense of spirituality as I
watched the Muslims break from work in the middle of the day to pray. And my
girls and I were filled with grief and awe as we looked out through the "door of
no return"-the infamous slave-trading post on the island of Gore. We recognized
the strength that our ancestors must have drawn on to survive.
I believe many of the psychological and emotional wounds we carry as people of
African descent come from being torn from our roots and made to endure the
brutality of slavery and oppression, But seeing the richness and beauty of
African people and culture helped me internalize powerful feelings of pride and
self-esteem feelings we can all tap into. Here are some ways to build a more
tangible, tenable sense of self-worth and of our place in the world:
Plan to visit the Motherland, especially West Africa, the home of many of our ancestors. The African owned airline Air Afrique [(800) 456-9192] offers some of the best deals.
Immerse yourself in African Culture. Read about Africa, scout out African art auctions or exhibits and listen to music by African artists like Youssou N'Dour.
Practice African rituals. For example, at a wedding I attended in Dakar, family members ate dinner by dipping into the same round platter, symbolizing their unity. You might try serving meals this way. Learn about other rituals in the book Ritual: Power, Healing and Community by Som (Penguin/Arkana, $16.99).
Embrace extended family. In Senegal, young and old live together in family compounds, not miles apart. To keep your kinship ties strong, establish a family day or plan a reunion.
Express your spirituality. Many Senegalese wear prayer beads or pictures of spiritual leaders around their necks as reminders of their connection with the Creator. You might collect spiritual bracelets, figurines, photographs or books.
Affirm your link to the Motherland each day by saving "I am a descendant of strong, beautiful African people, and their spirit lives on in me,"
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