DNA testing has helped my family reunite with our long lost African American family. They came visiting Nigeria for the first time this week.
Reuniting with long lost family made yesterday one of the best days of my life. Until my brother In-law visited from the United States with DNA health and ancestry testing kits, I didn’t know it was possible to physically meet African Americans who are family. Even though we know their roots are from Africa.
Our ancestors left the shores of Africa a long time ago. We’ve always known that African Americans are children of Africans who were forcefully taken away during the slave trade era; some were kidnapped and sold, some were just captured and forced to go work in plantations abroad. Life continued, they gained freedom, had children who kept increasing from generation to generation, and that’s about some of the stories we know.
HOW A STORY BECAME MY REALITY
It honestly ended like a story for me; like something that can never be possible. When my brother In-Law gave us these DNA testing kits from 23andMe, he had to do some explanation first to help me especially understand that African Americans still have the blood of their ancestors running in their veins and that if we do this test, that we can still find them.
It was unbelievable until I gave my saliva and the results came back with over a hundred DNA relatives for me alone. DNA testing results linked me showing the relationship whether we are first, second, third or fourth cousins it stated there. Showed my blood relatives scattered all over the world who ofcourse have also taken this test.
We connected with a few and started communicating. Yesterday, what I saw as impossible became reality when our two cousins Valerie and Simone walked in through my door and had dinner with us in Abuja. This is after they had gone right down to my State, Local Government Area and even the village. Right to the compound of the oldest family member still alive.
HOW OUR DNA RELATIVES WERE RECEIVED IN NIGERIA
Their reception at the village was very emotional. I wasn’t there but just saw the video. They were warmly received with Nigerian names given to both of them. Their feet were ceremonially washed and it was just awesome as this video brought tears to my eyes.
They were also presented very symbolic gifts from Africa.
On their departure back yesterday, We had a taste of the love and fun too as Simone and Val stopped over at Abuja.
We had dinner as a family and it was as if we had known ourselves forever. I can’t believe this is happening in my lifetime!