Sketches of the History of Balanta People in America: Anthology Series 1
This is the first book documenting the history of Balanta people in America. From 1761 to 1815, records show that 6,534 Balanta people were taken to the Americas. Because of the near complete ethnocide against them, their history and heritage was nearly lost until the advent of genetic testing allowed their descendants to be identified.
In 2019, The Balanta B’urassa History and Genealogy Society in America (BBHAGSIA) was established to begin the process of recovering from ethnocide, rediscovering the lost history, and restoring the lost heritage. Six members of BBHAGSIA have completed extensive research, which, collectively, serve as sketches of the history of Balanta people in America from 1732 up to the present. For the first time we learn of the everyday life of Balanta people in America as well as the prominent role they have played in the Civil War, the Civil Rights struggle, the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Movement, living up to their name “Balanta” which means “those who Resist”.