Ancestry DNA: Dokubo Was Right, I Am From Futa Jallon!
So our dear Southern enlightened militant activist, Mujahid Asari Dokubo was correct. The Fulani of Nigeria are indeed from the Futa Jallon area. Well, at least that is what the ancestry DNA results I just got reveal.
I took the test on AncestryDna.com. My results were:
Nigeria 41%
Mali 17%
Benin/Togo 30%
Ghana/Ivory coast 10%
Before I compare to some online published results of Igbos and Yoruba who have taken the test, I must mention that before these results, I did know I was from Mali. We are fortunate to have a family history tree that stretches back to Mali and before that to other places outside the continent. We were never sure how accurate this was, being as historical accounts go. We had been told that our forefathers, "migrant African Chiefs" migrated from Mali to Sokoto; chilled there for sometime before heading South as hired warriors.
My great grand dad married a Yoruba lady, and that combined with my pan-African mom probably give me the 40% Nigerian, 30% Benin/Togo which is typical for Yoruba people and 10% Ghanian ancestry. I expected Ghana to be a bit more, but so it appears. It is likely my Ghanaian grand mother who was a repatriated " Male revolt " troublemakers slave from Brazil, likely was taken to Brazil from Nigeria or Benin/Togo and hence the lower level of Ghanaian blood than projected. My convoluted family history is not for today.
Futa Jallon peoples are primarily in Guinea, and South of Mali. While the Malians have several strong ethnic groups, including the Mande, Tuareg, Fulani and Mandinka. I kind of still hope I am of the Mandinka ancestry of the great Malian King, Mansa Musa . I will need more specific tests to determine this.
Now here are other results from Nigerians. I could not find any online by Hausa or Fulani results to further confirm Dokubo's thesis. I would like to encourage northerners to be more openly adventurous and try to get their tests taken and published.
Igbo: Nigeria 49%, Cameroon/Congo 24%, Benin/Togo 17%, Ghana/Ivory Coast 8%, Mali 1%,
Igbo: Nigeria 77%, Benin/Togo 13%, Cameroon/Congo 5%, Ghana/Ivory Coast 4%, Mali 1%,
Igbo: Nigeria 50%, Cameroon/Congo 24%, Benin/Togo 20%, Ghana/Ivory Coast 6%,
Yoruba: Nigeria 66%, Benin/Togo 30%, Cameroon/Congo 3, Senegal 1%,
Yoruba: Benin/Togo 52%, Nigeria 38%, Cameroon/Congo 8%, Senegal 2%
It is noticed that Igbo typically have a lot of Cameroon/Congo in them while Yoruba have more of Benin/Togo, which is no surprise considering their locations and common ancestral migrations patterns. It has also been pointed out that Igbo and Yoruba with the Gaa and Akan are genetically highly (99%) identical . Their languages are also from the same root, the YEAI of the Volta-Niger dialects.. Relationships of Hausa/Fulani, Kanuri and other ethnicities with these may not be so close.
Most African slaves to north America according to Ancestry tests are from Nigeria, the Congo, Benin, Ghana and Ivory Coast.
I have had a single conversation with Dokubo, and differences aside, I respected him for his intellect and wide knowledge base. He thought I was Hausa and began the conversation in Hausa. When I objected, he asked where I was from then finished the entire debate in Yoruba while I replied in English.
It is important we all realize how interrelated we are as human beings and Africans, genetically, language-wise and in other regards. It is a plus to learn and embrace other people's cultures and languages. I credit some of my "tolerance" to my unique convoluted and intermingled family history.
I must say I was quite disappointed not to find Cameroon/Congo-Igbo ancestry to me. I have always hoped I had some Igbo in me to explain my business sense and drive.
Dr. Peregrino Brimah; Email: [email protected] Twitter: @EveryNigerian; Also on http://Naija.Live online radio.