February 19, 2020 – March 17, 2020
(Extended to April 7, 2020 due to COVID-19)
“48 Days on the Ground in Africa”
Host: Mario Ceesay
With Mario
Prior Research
Prior to traveling, I conducted a lot of research on food and water, transportation, and sleeping accommodation costs for locals in The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau. The research included roundtrip economical travel cost for locals from Banjul through Senegal to Bissau and back. I was keenly aware of the average annual salary of locals in each country. I desired to experience the everyday life of a local socially, economically, and culturally. The research helped me to become an informed citizen. I was aware of the currency exchange rate between each of these three countries and the United States. I insisted on discussions using the local currency as opposed to the United States Dollar (USD).
Established Budget
On 24th January 2020, I informed my host (Mario Ceesay) what I could afford as my total budget. He accepted the budget offer. It covered light local transportation, round-trip transportation from Banjul, Gambia to Guinea-Bissau, local home eating, bottled water, and sleeping accommodations in his home or his family home. I ensured him that I am an American-African and live a simple life like that of the average locals. He could keep everything that was not spent. After presenting him with the total budget amount upon arrival at the airport, he agreed to handle everything from that point. The budget was to last from 19th February 2020 to 17th March 2020.
Original Plan
I arranged with Mario Ceesay to engage in international travel and activities in The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau.
The Fellowship in each country includes:
· Conversing with locals on anything that they want to talk about as kinfolks
· Meeting with small groups and discussing the future together
· Visiting villages and other places of interest
· Receiving translations from Mario
· Relaxing at the beach
· Eating local meals
· Learning from each other
· Seeking a total local everyday pure African experience as opposed to a tourist
· Doing what the locals do daily
· Living in the homes with the locals
· Eating what the locals eat in their homes
· Engaging in activities that are free
Plan Execution
I was able to accomplish everything in the original plan. Some of them were accomplished to a greater extent than others. The entire experience was very rewarding. I kept my promise to operate as a local. Mario kept his promise to ensure that I experienced the things in the original plan. At the end of the assessment report, I will point out some challenges that could have been avoided through more effective communications
The Gambia
On 19th February 2020, I arrived in the Gambia. I was met at the airport by Mario Ceesay and Victor Bamna. The drive from the airport to Mario’s home was quite a distance. It gave me an opportunity to observe the streets, towns, cities and communities along the way. I observed many people on the streets and lots of traffic. When we arrived at Mario’s home we were greeted by his family and a University of The Gambia Chemistry Professor (Oladele Oyelakin).
I delivered a laptop computer with cover to Mario. It was contributed by the Balanta Society in America.
On 21st February 2020, I presented a seminar in the Chemistry Department at the University of The Gambia. It was entitled, “How I used Science to Transform my Life. It was well attended and received.
On 22nd February, I traveled from The Gambia to Guinea-Bissau.
On 12th March 2020, I returned from Guinea-Bissau to The Gambia. It was my intention to remain in The Gambia for one week. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the globe, was forced to remain in The Gambia until 7th April 2020.
On 15th March 2020, Mario and I visited Holy Spirit Parish Catholic Church (the church of his Fiancée, Marie). After service, we had a big Dinner at Marie’s home. I met her family. They were very nice people.
After 15th March 2020, life for me got very interesting in the Gambia. I entered the period of the unknown and accepted it with grace. Each day and each experience were creative and adventurous. The airports and the borders were closed. I embraced the life of the locals.
On 28th March 2020, Mario’s Mom passed. He had to return to Guinea-Bissau to funeralize and bury her. For the first time, I had to separate from him. I had to connect and communicate with his family in The Gambia. His leaving created a great opportunity for me. Marcel, Carol, Grenada, Augustus, Eddie, Marcelos, Takka, Paul and many others became my direct family inner-circle.
The Balantas in The Gambia. They became my family when Mario left Gambia for his Mom's funeral.
Guinea Bissau
On 22nd February 2020, Mario and I traveled from the Gambia, through Senegal, to Guinea Bissau. The complete journey took approximately six (6) hours.
With Jorge and Mario
At the Senegal/Gambia Border, I met and sit beside a man called Jorge Ramos. He was born in Guinea-Bissau and lived there through age 5. He lived in several other countries, including the USA. He served as a Martial Arts athlete in Spain, Portugal, and France. He has extensive consulting and investment experiences in Europe, United States, Latin America, Asia and Africa. He teaches classes on how to do business in Africa. His family name is well known and respected in Guinea-Bissau history. His Fiancée is Binta. He speaks English very fluent and he is well informed on Guinea-Bissau, Africa, and world issues. Jorge became an instant friend. I introduced him to Mario and encouraged them to exchange phone numbers. He arranged public transportation for us to travel from the Bissau public transportation drop-off spot to the place where Mario’s family lived. He returned to the Gambia 5 years ago. He is 55.
Mario and I visited Jorge’s home many times. During those visits, we met and interacted with influential people like Binta (Jorge’s Fiancée, high-level officials from the Spanish Embassy in Guinea-Bissau, and Aldonca Ramos (Director General of Community Cultural Affairs in Guinea Bissau). If Jorge knew something and Mario forgot to tell me, he would make it known to me.
It was through Jorge that I learned that the Guinea Bissau ancestors never forgot their family members that were taken away during the transatlantic slave trade. He shared a song that the locals sing to remember their kinfolks in the Diaspora. He indicated that Guinea-Bissau does not have ethnic tribal problems like most West Africa countries. He felt that it was important for the Balanta Society in America to know that. He encouraged the Society to integrates all ethnic tribes in future projects and plans.
Jorge and Mario disagreed on a lot of political issues and historical facts. The current Guinea-Bissau administration and issues surrounding the Independence War with the Portuguese were two topics that were debated.
On 29th February 2020, Peter (Sufri Afonso) accompanied me to the Seashore Memorial for 46 victims of the Portuguese Massacre against the local workers that were demanding payment for unpaid wages.
On 8th March 2020, Mario and I visited Jorge and Binta. Mario left me over to Jorge and went somewhere else. I asked Jorge a lot of questions about two groups of soldiers that fought in the Independence War against the Portuguese. Jorge conceded that most (if not all) of his family members joined with the Portuguese and fought against the Guinea-Bissau soldiers. This was not an easy conversation, but it was necessary.
On 10th March 2020, I talked with Mario about the pain of the separation of two military groups (the Guinea-Bissau Army and the local defectors that fought with the Portuguese side against their own people) during the Independence war (1960-1973).
On 12th March 2020, Mario and I traveled from Guinea-Bissau to the Gambia. Mario appeared to have a problem with his country ID. This created a problem passing through the Borders.
Cultural Observations in Guinea-Bissau
On 22nd February 2020 (my first day of arrival in Guinea-Bissau), I observed that most young people in Guinea-Bissau dressed like young people in America. Also, the hairstyles are similar.
On 23rd February 2020, I observed that children played naturally in the home compound. They wrestled, jumped roped and did other things for fun. They would get upset with each other, but the anger would last less than 10 minutes. After that, they were good friends again. It reminded me of my childhood days in Mississippi, USA. Most of the cooking was performed outside on a burner over charcoal and wood. Refrigerators were scarce.
On 23rd February 2020, Mario and I walked to the home of his uncle, a member of the Bom-Faba Council. Many people were present and celebrating the Last Ceremony of Mario Code (a nephew of the uncle). He died around age 40. He was not married and did not have children. The deceased had undergone the Balanta Fenado Initiation with Mario Ceesay two years earlier. A cow and a pig had been slaughtered. The attendees took different parts with them. When I witnessed this, I felt totally indoctrinated into the Balanta Culture.
On 24th March 2020, I initiated my morning aerobics exercise routine. On some occasions, the children would participate. Also, I took long morning walks throughout the area that we lived in Bissau.
On 25th February 2020, Mario and I attended the Bissau Carnival. It was a great cultural experience. I observed a lot of diversity in every area of life. Some men wore red streaks in their hair and earrings. Guinea-Bissau is very liberal on human rights compared to the rest of West Africa. The Country has a signed agreement with the United Nations to respect the human rights of people with respect to sexual orientation. Most of the citizens can communicate with each other by speaking Creole. I would like to become a citizen of Guinea-Bissau.
Balanta Spiritual Life in Guinea-Bissau
On 29th February 2020, I met with Professor Robano Nhate, a member of the Bam-Faba Council. He shared insights into spiritual practices in Guinea-Bissau. Certain people in communities/villages have spiritual powers to address more complex problems experienced by locals. In some cases, the affected person can be silent, and the spiritual leader knows the problem and the solution. They use sacrifices to address the problems.
On 31st March 2020, I interviewed Augustus Sanyang, the youngest brother of Mario. He informed me that he converted to Christianity at age 12. He indicated that his family had a history of involvement in Christianity but the return to village life caused them to return to African Traditional Religions. He indicated that Christian churches are present in most cities, town and villages in Guinea-Bissau and some Balantas attend them.
Frazier’s Spiritual Life
On 21st March 2020, I made affirmations for myself: I AM at home in The Gambia; I AM finding everything I need in The Gambia; I AM a part of God in The Gambia; All is working for my best good in The Gambia; I co-create with God in The Gambia.
On 23rd March 2020, I made the following affirmations:
· I AM healthy, whole and complete. Everything in my body is functioning the way that it was designed to perform. God within me is in control of everything. Anything that should not be there has no power and no law to support itself. It must flee.
· I AM traveling home to the United States. I AM safe, protected and whole. I AM perfect from the Gambia all the way to America and to my bedroom in Atlanta.
· I AM Divinely supplied with food and water to nourish my body daily.
Cacheu Slave Castle
On 1st March 2020, we visited Cacheu Slave Castle (Cacheu Caminho De Escravos). As we approached the area, I felt the vibrations (Presence) of the ancestral spirits. When I exited the car and placed my feet on those historic grounds, I knew that my ancestors had walked those grounds over 200 years ago and some of the descendants might live there now. It was a very powerful experience. I made videos inside the compound and at the Gate of No return. I called the names of my ancestors during that visit. This was the highlight of my international journey. I will never forget this experience. I had to do it for the ancestors, the living descendants and myself.
On 7th March 2020, Naiel Saiti Cassama visited Mario and I in Bissau. He emphasized that now is the time for change in Guinea Bissau. I regret that we did not include him in the visit to Cacheu Slave Castle. He wanted to join us, but we did not keep him informed of our travel plans. Naiel is well educated. He owns his own construction business and would volunteer to help when needed.
Tchalana Village
The Tchalana Village elders and myself at the village school.
On 3rd and 4th March 2020, Mario and I traveled to and lived in Tchalana Village in Guinea-Bissau. We traveled several miles on motorbike from the highway into the Village. I met Mario’s family (Mom, Brother, Sister, Sister-n-Laws, and nieces). I met many people in the Village. I bonded very well with a man name Martin. He looks like my late Father. He prophesized that God would bless me and give me more years for my mission. He fought with the Guinea-Bissau Army against the Portuguese during the Independence War (1960-1973). He recalled that his brother fought on the Portuguese side. Also, he served in the Guinea-Bissau Army against the Senegal in 1999. It lasted for 11 months. The Village was like a therapeutic retreat. There was no electricity in the Village. We sat outside under the moonlight and the stars. The family made a special fire in the yard to provide light and run the mosquitoes away. I felt balanced in the natural habitat. The palm wine relaxed me well. I visited the Village school and promised that I would provide some financial assistance when I returned.
Sports in Guinea-Bissau
On 28th February 2020, Mario and I met with Jorge Ramos and Dr. Sergio Mane (President of the Guinea Bissau Olympics Committee). We were introduced to other members of the Guinea-Bissau National Olympics Committee. We talked with Mohamed Diop, the President of the African Swimming Federation and a member of the Senegalese Swimming Committee. We discussed what it would take for Siphiwe Ka Baleka to participate in the World Swimming match representing Guinea-Bissau.
George Ramos served as a Martial Arts athlete in Spain, Portugal, and France. He was the national champion four (4) times in Portugal. His last appearance as a martial arts fighter was in the International Open of France in 1997, where he won a gold medal for the middleweight category and the MVP of the tournament. He was the first African Master to achieve two gold medals with an African team at two consecutive Taekwondo World Championships (2007 and 2009). In 2009, he was inducted into the Taekwondo Hall of Fame and awarded World Coach of the Year.
The Challenge Returning to the USA
On 16th March 2020, I received an email from ASAP Travel Agency, that the travel schedule had changed for my return flight to the USA for the next day. On the same day, Ethiopian Airlines emailed me to confirm that the flight from Togo to Newark, New Jersey was on schedule. I called Asky Airlines in Banjul and they requested that I visit their office to get the details on the flight from Banjul to Togo.
On 16th March 2020, Mario and I visited Asky Airlines in Banjul. They informed us that the flight from Banjul to Togo had been cancelled for the following day.
On 16th March 2020, I emailed ASAP Travel Agency to get a revised Travel ticket. They did not respond. I asked an attorney friend in the USA to communicate with the ASAP Travel Agency to get the trip rescheduled. She was not successful over a 4-day period.
On 20th March 2020, Mario and I visited Asky Airlines and they provided conflicting information about flights leaving the Gambia. I asked another friend in the USA to call ASAP Travel Agency and keep them on the line until we got a firm answer for my return travel to the USA. The agency informed us that it would be April 2020 before I could get a flight to the USA and they could not guarantee that.
On 20th March 2020, the Banjul Airport closed. I prepared my mind to stay in Banjul for an unknown period. I kept Mario and his Banjul family informed of my progress.
On 20th March 2020, I registered with the American Embassy in the Gambia. I informed the embassy that I was running out of medication. They told me that most medications can be purchased at the local pharmacist without a prescription. They informed me that they are working on a flight to return American Citizens in the Gambia to America, but they did not know when such flight would happen.
On 23rd March 2020, I requested assistance from the Offices of; Congressman John Lewis; Senator David Purdue, and Senator Kelly Loeffler. When I traveled, I packed one month of prescribed medications. I had run out of medication. Purdue’s office responded with a general message. Lewis’ Office never responded.
On 24th March 2020, Charles Spry responded from Senator Kelly Loeffler’s Office within two hours. He agreed to contact the State Department and the U.S. Embassy in the Gambia on ways that I could acquire the much-needed medications.
On 25th March 2020, I received a call from the U.S. Embassy in the Gambia with specific instruction to make an appointment with a doctor at the Serekunda General Hospital. The man indicated that he was following up on an inquiry that the Embassy had received from Senator Loeffler’s Office. I inquired about cost. He informed me that the cost was zero and tell the doctor that the U.S. Embassy sent me.
On 25th March 2020, I set the appointment with the doctor at the Serekunda General Hospital for 10 a.m. the next day.
On 26th March 2020, I met with the doctor at Serekunda General Hospital and received a one-month complimentary supply all my medications. I informed Mr. Spry that I had received the medications and thanked him for his intervention.
On 30th March 2020, the U.S. Embassy in the Gambia informed me that the U.S. Department of State had arranged a special chartered flight for American Citizens in the Gambia to repatriate to the USA on 3rd April 2020. The cost was 1,900 USD to travel to Washington Dulles Airport in Washington, DC. I submitted my Passport and Promissory Note information.
On 1st April 2020, I received an email requesting that I come to the U.S. Embassy in Banjul, Gambia on the next day at 10 a.m.
On 2nd April 2020, Marcel accompanied me to the U.S. Embassy in the Gambia to review the paperwork and complete documents for repatriation to the USA on the next day.
On 6th April 2020, I assisted my Gambia doctor in finding medical sources in the USA for her medical patients that had moved to the USA.
On 7th April 2020, the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in the Gambia arranged a special charter flight for me and other American citizens in the Gambia to return to the United States. I arrived at the Banjul Airport at 11 a.m. I stood in line outside in the sun until 4 p.m. The flight DS 5528 boarded at 6 p.m. and departed Banjul around 8 p.m. In order to fly, the U.S. Government had to get approval from Senegal in order to fly over it. Ethiopian Airlines was contracted to fly the American citizens home.
On 8th April 2020, we (the American citizens in the Gambia) arrived at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC around 1 a.m. I completed Customs and Baggage Claims around 4 a.m.
On 9th April 2020, I departed Ronald Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on American Airlines Flight 4525 at 4:59 p.m. I arrived in Atlanta, Georgia at 6:59 p.m.
Education
On 4th April 2020, Augustus Sanyang (Mario’s Brother) presented a proposal for education in Guinea-Bissau. We discussed a framework for education that started from early childhood through the university years. I would strongly urge the Bam-Faba Council to include him in your discussions on Education in Guinea-Bissau.
Bam-Faba Council
On 7th March 2020, Mario and I attended the Bam-Faba Council meeting. Sixteen (16) members attended (all males). They are very intelligent professionals that are serious about building a strong Council and a strong Balanta Ethnic Tribe. They refined the proposed Bam-Faba Council Constitution using a Democratic approach.
The Bam-Faba Council and myself.
Financial
I am sharing the financial details in this section to show how I was keeping track of the financial accounting in my head based upon the prior agreed upon budget for the total trip. It is not meant to suggest that funds were misused. I am happy that the trip was successful, and I returned home safe to the USA.
On 24th January 2020, Mario and I agreed on a final budget for my on-the-ground trip in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. It covered light local transportation, round-trip transportation from Banjul, Gambia to Guinea-Bissau, local home eating, bottled water, and sleeping accommodations in his home or his family home. I ensured him that I am an American-African and live a simple life like that of the average locals. At the end of the trip, he could keep everything that was not spent. After presenting him with the total budget amount upon arrival at the airport, he agreed to handle everything from that point. The budget was to last from 19th February 2020 to 17th March 2020.
On 11th March 2020, Mario requested additional funds from me (50 USD) to complete the Bissau activities and travel back to The Gambia. I was shocked to receive the request because our prior agreement meant that the existing funds should have lasted until my arrival at the Gambia Airport on 17th March 2020. In addition to that, I had no prior warning that he was running out of funds and he had no knowledge that I had additional funds. I gave him 125 USD and hoped that he would not ask for more.
On 20th March 2020, Mario informed me that he needed 25 USD to renew the router for another month. I provided him with 50 USD so that 25 USD could be used for future operating expenses. It is my preference that he use Gambian currency quotes rather than USD currency quotes.
On 24th March 2020, I purchased some of my prescriptions at a local pharmacist. I gave Mario 100 USD to exchange to pay for my pharmacy meds. The med cost was 24.70 USD. The change left was 75.30 USD. I was watching the change close during each transaction.
On 25th March 2020, I asked Mario how long the funds on hand would last. He said until next week. At that point, I knew that he had enough funds to last until Friday (April 3rd).
On 27th March 2020, Mario agreed to accept 60 USD per week from me for food, water, and sleeping when the on-hand funds run out next week (3rd April 2020). I made that offer because I realized that the original agreement was scheduled to end of 17th March 2020 and funds were on hand to last until 3rd April 2020. With this accounting in mind, the 60 USD usage would start on 4th April 2020.
On 28th March 2020, Mario’s Mom passed. He was in the room talking with his Fiancée (Marie) and forgot to tell me. Marcel walked in and announced the sad news. Mario said that he forgot to tell me.
On 29th March 2020, Mario decided to travel to Bissau to funeralize and bury his Mom. He did not have the money to travel. I offered the following to assist him while ensuring my continuous accommodations in Banjul, Gambia:
· 200 USD (9,800 GMD) to help him travel to Bissau and bury his Mom. This replaced future funds that would help him expand his village farm expansion;
· 60 USD (2,800 GMD) to pay for my food, water, and sleeping for one week, starting 4th April 2020; and
· 20 USD (1,200 GMD) for incidentals for me. This was the first time that I declared incidental funds for myself. Prior to that Mario handled all my finances.
On 30th March 2020, a young man stopped by the apartment and introduced himself as Mario’s Brother. He indicated that he lived across the street from us and saw us often but was never invited over to be introduced. I was confused because Mario never introduced him over the past five weeks and never asked for funds for the Brother to travel with him to the funeral. The young Brother informed me that he did not rely on Mario to take care of his daily needs. He has been independent since 2015.
On the night of 30th March 2020, the power went out in the Banjul apartment. Eddie and I assumed that it was out for the whole area. I used a paper hand fan to generate mechanical air. I did not sleep.
On 31st March 2020, it was discovered that only the power to our apartment was out. I used approximately 160 GMD of my incidental funds to turn the power on.
On 2nd April 2020, Marcel and Augustine (Mario’s Brother) shared information about housing accommodations for my next visit. It is best to travel during the non-tourist season (April – September). The prices are much cheaper during that period. I could do an annual lease on a residential space and sublease it to tourists during the tourist season (October – March). The money received through subleasing could pay for my travel and living accommodations and still leave surplus profits for me. During the conversation, I realized that I had paid enough on the current trip to have a nice place and live well. In the future, I insist on using Gambian currency rather than USD currency when discussing finances in the Gambia.
On 3rd April 2020, Carol indicated that Mario left enough funds to cover food for 5 days (ending today). She needed an additional 200 GMD per day to provide food. This was shocking to me because the 60 USD (2,800 GMD) should have started on 4th April and lasted until 10th April 2020. It appears that Mario gave her 1,000 GMD thinking that I would return to the USA on 3rd April 2020. I provided Carol with 400 GMD to cover Saturday and Sunday. From that point forward, I decided that I will handle my own money and disburse as needed.
On 5th April 2020, I paid Carol 200 GMD to cover eating cost for the next day (Monday).
Challenges / Suggestions
I am presenting the following challenges as feedback to help Mario continue to improve the delivery of effective services to his foreign clients. I am presenting them in a spirit of love. I believe in him. I pray that they will be received in that way.
1. Provide more translations for the guest. During visits to most places, Mario spoke very fast in the local language for the most part and provided little translation for me. It was hard to get him to pause and provide translation.
2. Provide periodic financial status reports to the guest.
3. Mario needs to renew his passport or ECOWAS id card.
I am in a very comfortable space in Banjul, The Gambia.
About Dr. Nana Kwame Leroy Frazier
The author was born in a shotgun house on the George Dixon plantation in Senatobia, Mississippi. He is the third of eight children born to sharecroppers with limited education and great wisdom. He was trained to perform farm work at the age of five. The activities included: plowing the farmland; chopping cotton; picking cotton; picking and shelling peas; grazing the mules; gathering the cows; milking the cows; feeding the hogs; and maintaining the gardens. The author's first year of schooling was in an old one-room building with one teacher. The one teacher taught eight different grades in the same day at Saint Mary's School in Nesbitt, Mississippi. The author received his elementary and high school education in the segregated public school system of DeSoto County, Mississippi. He graduated as valedictorian of his senior class. He led two major civil rights demonstrations against the school system during his tenure as a student. The author holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry; a Master of Science degree in Organic Chemistry; and a Ph.D degree in Organic Chemistry. He served as a college professor, division chair, dean, provost, executive vice president and interim president of higher educational institutions for more than 30 years. He is President of Divine Fulfillment Institute. He is an ordained minister. He filed and won a major federal lawsuit against the State of Mississippi in 1975. The lawsuit was titled, Frazier v. the State of Mississippi. The lawsuit addressed voter registration discrimination practices against Black College students who desired to register and vote in the city that they resided while attending college. The author's family has been traced back to the Mbundu ethnic tribe in Angola, The Akan ethnic umbrella of tribes in Ghana, and the Yoruba and Fulani ethnic tribes in Nigeria. His 256 great <6x>grandparents are believed to have been born and died in West Africa. He has reclassified himself as a Multi-Nationalist. He is on a mission to reconnect his family members across the world. He is the father of five adult children. He is the grandfather of nine grandchildren. He is the author of four books: “Journey into My Soul”, “Converting Thoughts and Words into Things and Advancements”, “Mississippi: Beneath the Surface!”, and “Branded with African Blood.”
“When I was a young boy growing up in Mississippi, I wondered who my ancestors were. I knew my parents, grandparents, great <1x>grandparents, neighbors, church members, school mates and school teachers. My life was so simple at that time. It took fifty (50) years for me to learn where my maternal ancestors came from in Africa. My maternal ancestors originated from the Mbundu people in Angola, the Akan people in Ghana, and the Yoruba and Fulani people in Nigeria. I visited my Akan family in Ghana, West Africa in 2011. It took sixty (60) years for me to learn that my paternal ancestors originated from the Balanta ethnic tribe in Guinea Bissau, West Africa. This means that my paternal family lineage (Father Willie B, Grandfather Frank, Great <1x>Grandfather Ben, Great <2x>Grandfather Joe, Great <3x>Grandfather Camnateh, Great <4x>Grandfather Kufoyeh, Great <5x>Grandfather Be-Yayah, etc.) connect back to the Balanta ethnic tribe. This book is about the reunion of an African family that was force separated reluctantly in Africa and in the United States of America. The African American family discovers their African ancestral linage through DNA testing and reconnects more than 500 years of history. The African American family compiles a complete genealogy of their people from 1770 (in Africa) to 2012 (in the United States). The results are published in this book. Each family member is called by name and introduced to other family members. The purpose of this book is to introduce the Frazier descendants to their African roots in Guinea Bissau, West Africa (the Balanta people). In a similar manner, the purpose of this book is to introduce the Balanta people in Guinea Bissau, West Africa to their American roots in the United States. The book was designed to introduce the living descendants and descendants yet unborn to their paternal family lineage in the United States and in Africa. The purpose of this book is to bring Black families together under one love umbrella. We have been scattered and now it is time for us to come home in our hearts and minds. In coming home, we transcend the barriers of educational, spiritual, social and economic divide. We transcend barriers and limits that have been self-imposed and externally-imposed. Our struggles have been great”
