Thanks for joining me! And welcome to ALL THINGS AFRICA!
AFRICA IS HOME TO THE DIASPORA …
Thank you again for stopping by my blog! I am super excited that you decided to take the time to read my blog and I am ecstatic about the journey I am about to start at this phase of my life.
ALL THINGS AFRICA will involve my journey to the continent and all of the beauty that it entails; from the travels, the people, the food, the culture, the clothes, the jewelry, the journey … all things Africa.
Through this blog, I will attempt (with the help of some close brothers/sisters) bring to light the true essence of AFRICA; the truth about “The Motherland.”
AFRICA is like no other continent on the face of this earth. It is rich, it is mysterious, it is beautiful, it is resourceful, it is unique and it is the backbone of the world … it is AFRICA.
And so, the journey begins … shall we?
Until next time … may our Ancestors continue to be with us.
Demetra “Afua” Driskell
Photography by Detraveling Fotografa
I am Demetra Graham Driskell, an African woman born and raised in the United States of America. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and I have worked in the field of Social Services for over twenty years. I am also a Teacher of Social Studies; African American History in the State of Florida. I am a Mother of three young adults, a Grandmother of two precious Granddaughters and now a Blogger. It is my dream and goal to bring my story of my personal journey to the continent of Africa, raw and uncut to those in the diaspora that have eyes to see, ears to hear and a mind to absorb the truth about this massive and mysterious continent. Innately, I know this story must be told; it must be documented from beginning to end. And so, as I like to say, the journey begins.
AFRICA is considered by some the most beautiful continent on the face of the Earth. Is it because of the natural wildlife or maybe it’s because of the beautiful green mountains, the rain forests, the waterfalls, the Atlantic Ocean, the culture, the people, the music, the food? Omg the food!
AFRICA is the second largest continent in the world and the second most populous continent in the world. “Mother Africa” is comprised of approximately 1.4 billion people or 17.89% of the world’s population. It is a massive continent. The continent supplies the world with more than 30% of its resources. Simply put, Africa is a very rich land.
But even more interesting is the fact that Mother Africa is calling her children home. Her children that were stolen right out of her bosom. Can you imagine a mother sending her daughter or son to pick up a carton of milk and the child never returns home? I can hear Mother Africa saying, “My children, you have been away much too long. It has been over 400 years since the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Come home. Home is where you will find refuge. Home is where you will find peace, love and acceptance. Home is the “no judgement zone.” At home you are the majority, not the minority. At home you will feel included, never excluded. I miss you, my children. Oh, how I have missed you! You were deceived when you were stolen off the western coast of the continent over 400 years ago. You thought you would be back, but they tricked you and used your strong bodies to build their country. I have been calling you home for a while now. Things are getting bad; quite bad in the West, so I need you to come home. At home you are protected when you breath my air, walk the land, raise your crops and eat from my soil. My soil is rich and filled with everything you need to grow, glow and thrive as a people. At home you can breathe. Everything is better; your spirit, your health, your wealth, your body … you live the way you have always wanted to live; on your terms. So, I say to you my children, come home … Akwaaba or you are welcome!”
The Journey begins … photograph by Demetra “Afua”
So why Africa you say? Well, why not Africa? The continent is comprised of 54 countries. It is massive, it is intriguing, and it is adventurous. There is so much to do, see and experience in The Motherland.
Hi! My name is Demetra “Afua”, and my goal is to bring the continent of Africa to the masses via print in the most authentic and truthful way possible leaving no stone unturned. Why may you wonder? Her light has been dimmed far too long, so I thrive to shine a bright light on Mother Africa. I sometimes ask myself, “Was her light dimmed or was it being covered and hidden purposely? But why would anyone purposely want to dim the light of Mother Africa? Don’t they know she is the beginning of the Earth? All life flowed through her womb. Without her there would be no life.”
There is so much to explore, so much to experience, so much to learn and so much to talk about when it comes to this beautiful mass of land that only God could have created … AFRICA.
So, where should I begin? Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Gambia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena or Togo. All of these countries compiled historically and appropriately named “The Slave Coast.”
Let’s begin with Ghana or The Republic of Ghana, which comes from the ancient Ghana Empire and means “Warrior King.” It was also nicknamed “The Gold Coast” after the country of Guinea which was known for its gold, petroleum, sweet crude oil and natural gas. It was the gold that attracted the colonizers to the western coast of Africa; British colonizers. During the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade many “traders” built forts along the coast. Today they are appropriately referred to as “slave dungeons.” The Portuguese built Fort Elmina in 1482. The Dutch, Swedes and the English also built forts and “set up shop” on “The Gold Coast.” Eventually, the British dominated the area. In 1957, the Republic of Ghana became the first of the British colonies on the continent to gain their independence. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, lead the way for not only Ghana, but for other African nations as well. His dream was to establish The United States of Africa.
Today, Ghana is considered the “entry point” to the continent. This developing country has millions of travelers from around the world that take that journey to the continent every year to vacation and immerse themselves in the culture of this beautiful country. Ghana is a peaceful country known for its kind people, delicious food, Kente cloth, social and economic stability and low crime rate. In fact, Ghana is known as one of the friendliest countries in the world to visit. Akwaaba … you are welcome!
So, when will I visit Ghana, you ask? Thank you for asking. December 2020 seems perfect! Yes, December seems like a perfect month and year to step foot on the continent of Africa for the very first time! I hear from the locals in the country that Ghana is “popping” in the month of December; specifically, Accra which is the capital of Ghana. word on the street is the country will be lit up with lights and beautiful African decorations, as well as lit with people from around the world that will travel to Ghana to participate in the holiday festivities. Oh, the smell of spices, the food, the people, the culture, the Kente, the night life … this is Ghana. And this is AFRICA.
And so, the journey begins. There is so much to do, so much planning. I need to get all those shots! All those shots? Well, in actuality you only need one shot and that is the yellow fever shot. In addition, you may want to get your Physician to prescribe malaria pills, which combats malaria, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitos. I already have my Passport, but I need to obtain a travel Visa, purchase my plane ticket and develop a jammed packed itinerary with the help of friends on the ground. I am hopeful that my trip of a lifetime will come to pass in 2020, the year of perfect vision. I am excited, optimistic and even nervous. So many emotions. I am determined to feel, live, experience and enjoy the journey! And oh, what a journey it will be because Mother Africa says it’s time to come home; she misses me. She misses all of us in the diaspora.
Come home … 🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭❤️💛🖤💚
Until next time … may our Ancestors be with us.
Demetra “Afua” Driskell
~My children you have been away much too long …~
I am Demetra Graham Driskell, an African woman born and raised in the United States of America. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and I have worked in the field of Social Services for over twenty years. I am also a Social Studies; African American History Teacher. I am a Mother of three young adults, a Grandmother of two precious Granddaughters and now a Blogger. It is my dream and goal to bring my story of my personal journey to the continent of Africa, raw and uncut to those in the diaspora that have eyes to see, ears to hear and a mind to absorb the truth. Innately, I know this story must be documented from beginning to end. And so, as I like to say, the journey begins …
So, it began as a little girl. For some reason I was drawn to the people that “looked like me.” I remember when in public with my parents I would instantly be drawn to African people … melanated people. They were warm, they were kind, they were inviting and they were beautiful.
One particular incident I will never forget is when my father was living, we were all out to dinner; my Father and children and we walked into this restaurant and I immediately was drawn to these very tall, slim, dark men. Not in a romantic way, but I attracted to their energy … their presence. They were unique. Something was different about them. They were African and my best guess was they were from The Congo or maybe Sudan. I told my Father, “I have to speak to them!” So, I went up to them and I said, “You guys are African!” They said in a very interesting accent, “Yes we are.” “And, I would venture to say you are from The Congo or Sudan.” And they said, “Yes, of course; we are from The Congo. It is our first time in the U.S.” Their spirits were so warm. I welcomed them to the U.S. and told them I hope they enjoy their stay.
I never forgot that experience and I never will. Fast forward, I had the opportunity to date an African man. Of course, that lit my fire for Africa once again. I began to feel a “drawing to” the continent. The best way to describe the feeling I have is to say, ”The Ancestors are calling me home.” That feeling has only grown in intensity over the months and years.
And so, here I am. Embarking on my first trip to Africa; to the Continent; to The Motherland; to Ghana, West Africa.
When I was a young women married and having my children, I was a part of a ministry in Central Florida where I am from. The choir at the church use to sing a song and in the lyrics of the song it said, “Here I am Lord, send me.” Every time this song was sung by the choir I felt as if God was speaking directly to me. I never understood why until now. Just recently in my planning and preparation for Ghana, the words of that spiritual song came back to my remembrance; here I am Lord, send me.
I would never claim to truly understand why I felt I must go to the continent. But what’s real is, I knew I have to go. Sometimes when God calls you to do something, He doesn’t always make it clear as to “why” He is calling you and “what” He is calling you to do. Our responsibility is to just answer the call.
That being said, I am praying and asking all that would pray that I see and hear what God is showing me; that He will order my steps. I pray for my safety and that He will place people in my path that will assist me on this journey.
Since this all began, Africa has been on my mind when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed at night. The energy is real; “the calling” is real!
On my birthday, June 30, 2020, I “pulled the trigger!” I purchased my ticket to Africa! I am beyond excited and there are so many emotions that I am feeling, so I am taking it a day at a time in order to keep from feeling overwhelmed. It is a massive undertaking. The planning is broad and it is not an inexpensive trip. However, as I have stated, I must go. He has already answered my prayer by continuing to strategically place people in my life that will assist me along the way. So, I have help. In approximately six months I will be stepping foot on the continent of Africa for the very first time in my life. In addition, I will be the first person in my family to return to the continent since the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, whereby my ancestors were taken from their land never to return. I will be returning and I am honored.
In closing, my goal is to document this journey via blogging and vlogging for those that will see and hear what my experience will be on the continent of Africa. Prayerfully, it will be educational, informative and eye opening for all of my readers and viewers that dare to open their minds to the possibility of traveling to and even repatriating back to The Motherland. We have options and my goal is to expose those options.
So I encourage you to take this journey with me. Shall we?
Until next time … may our ancestors be with us.
Demetra “Afua” Driskell
I am Demetra Graham Driskell, an African woman born and raised in the United States of America. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and I have worked in the field of Social Services for over twenty years. I am also a Teacher in the State of Florida. I am a Mother of three young adults, a Grandmother of two precious Granddaughters and now a Blogger. It is my dream and goal to bring my story of my personal journey to the continent of Africa, raw and uncut to those in the diaspora that have eyes to see, ears to hear and a mind to absorb the truth about this massive continent. Innately, I know this story must be documented from beginning to end. And so, as I like to say, the journey begins.
ALL THINGS AFRICA; THE JOURNEY 