A family of eight African-Americans from Mississippi, USA, recently embarked on a transformative journey to Ghana to reconnect with their West African roots.
The visit, organized by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), included stops at historical monuments such as the Elmina Castle, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, and the National Museum, culminating in a meaningful naming ceremony in Keta.
Led by Mr Courge Selorm Danku from GTA, the heritage trip aimed at providing the family with an opportunity to experience their ancestral homeland and understand the challenges faced by their great-grandparents before being taken to the diaspora.
The climax of the visit was a naming ceremony conducted by Togbi James-Ocloo V, the Dufia of Keta, at his palace.
The ceremony was designed to formally adopt the family into the James-Ocloo Royal family of Keta.
The names bestowed upon them were derived from the ‘Bate Clan' names of the Anlo tribe and were chosen based on birth and gender.
Isaac Hannah became Tsali James-Ocloo, Flora Harman Hannah was named Teshie James-Ocloo, Reginald Vareck Jefferson adopted the name Akorli, Vanelle Hannah Jefferson became Kokui, Hart Isaac Jefferson was named Fui, Brooklyn Jefferson was named Dzoe, and Reginald Elijah Jefferson adopted the name Tsidi James-Ocloo.
Togbi James-Ocloo explained that the naming process involved the selection of names tied to the Anlo tribe's ‘Bate Clan' and were indicative of both their birth circumstances and gender.
The family members were adorned with wrist beads, had whitish marks applied to their arms, and received certificates.
Reflecting on the experience, Brooklyn Jefferson Dzoe expressed profound sentiments, stating, “This is not just a trip; it's a memorable experience, which will be very important in my life journey. To us, this is now home, and it is beautiful to be here.”
Following the naming ceremony, the family visited Fort Prinzenstein, a Danish-built fort used during the slave trade. Reginald Vareck Jefferson underscored the importance of the trip, emphasizing that it marked a return to their roots. “It was a point of no return, but to us today, it's a point of return,” he shared.
Vannelle Hannah Jefferson Kokui described the trip as spiritual, expressing gratitude for the experience. “We feel very spiritual and emotional coming to have this experience. We are now part of the family and the clan; we promise to keep visiting home regularly and share resources.”
The ceremony featured captivating cultural performances by the Emancipation Cultural Troupe, attended by dignitaries such as Mr Akorli James-Ocloo, Dumega Atakpah, staff from the GTA, and Agbotadua Kummassah, a historian who provided insights into the slave trade and Anlo-Ewe ancestral history.