One thing always on the side of the African Diaspora is our rich African heritage. We have this bright hope in the fertile soils of Africa that calls us home. Regardless of the struggles we have had to endure, we’ve always kept sight of the lands of our forefathers. Marcus Garvey fought through powerful speeches, Kwame Nkrumah through policies and action, and now we fight by returning home. Harriet Tubman would be proud to see the African Diaspora sailing across the Atlantic seas—this time following the same straight line back home.
The truth is that we are most powerful where we belong. As an Agriculturalist, I know that certain plants thrive only in the right soil. You could plant the best variety in poor soil and get a weak yield. But place that same plant in its ideal environment, and it will produce abundantly.
For the African Diaspora, our rich African heritage is that fertile soil. Africa is where we can become our best selves and live the organic, free life we were meant to. In many ways, we’ve grown used to a fabricated lifestyle, domesticated like animals in a zoo. But true human living is spiritual freedom—and Africa is where we can express this best. Our Motherland is where we can flourish in the fullness of who we are.
In this blog, let us unravel the mystery of our roots and discover why we are most powerful where we belong. Let’s dive deep into the cultural identity and economic power waiting for us in Africa. Come with me.
Our Rich African Heritage
I use the term “Our” to bear witness to the African diaspora, scattered across the ends of the earth. These children of Africa have often been displaced and disenfranchised. They carry ancestral wounds that leave indelible marks on their souls. Yet, for African people abroad, our rich African heritage is the heartbeat of who we are. Our identity is first and foremost African, the first people to walk the face of the earth.
Africa is more than just a continent—it is the pulsation of a people who have endured, thrived, and left a permanent mark on the world. Our cultural identity is a treasure chest of wisdom and power. For those in the African diaspora, the call to return home is growing louder by the day. Whether physically or spiritually, reconnecting with Africa opens doors to self-discovery and healing.
There was a time when Africa stood as the envy of the world—rich, wise, and enlightened. History and research affirm that Africa is the birthplace of civilization. From culture to science, from wisdom to spirituality, Africa has given much to the world. Yet, the children of this great land, rich in melanin, have faced endless struggles. Oppression has sought to break us, but it only reminds us of one truth: we must return to our roots. Perhaps we had to endure this journey—to suffer away from home—before realizing where we truly belong.
Africans in the diaspora are like a water lily in the desert. This is because we are away from the flowing, living water of Africa. This water is the fuel that keeps us upright and strong. It is time to return to the living waters of Africa, to draw strength from the nutritious lands that bore us, and to rise once more, empowered by the richness of our motherland.
1. Embracing Cultural Identity: Knowing Who We Are
As Marcus Garvey said, “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” This is very true for Africans in the Diaspora. They have often forgotten who they are because of what they have been through. However, knowing who we are is the first step toward the true liberation of the African people. Our rich African heritage is this knowledge we need to regain our momentum and re-establish our place in human history.
For African descendants, reconnecting with our rich African heritage provides a sense of belonging. This connection grounds us in the traditions, languages, and values passed down through generations.
When diasporans visit or move to Africa, they often experience a deep emotional connection. This is what happened to me as I placed my feet on the soil of Africa. It was a spiritual moment that I never had before then. There is something powerful about walking on the same soil where your ancestors once stood. This connection fills the void that many feel while living in foreign lands. It restores identity.
Celebrating African culture means embracing the music, food, language and the customs that make us who we are. Also, it’s in the rhythm of the kete drum, the taste of jollof rice, and the beauty of kente cloth. Each aspect of African culture holds a piece of who we are. African culture is also packed with the wisdom we lost through years of entanglement. Our love for colour, our appreciation of nature, and our community bonds are foundations of true humanity.
When we honor our cultural identity, we affirm our value. We reject the narratives that label Africa as broken and instead see it as a place of beauty, resilience, and innovation.
2. Economic Power: Building a Future in Africa
The African diaspora has this opportunity of a lifetime to pool their resources and come to Africa to not only enrich themselves, but to help a nation and its people. There are many African people around the world with a lot of economic power, from rich celebrities to esteemed businessmen. Yet, these people are not very interested in helping Africa. But this is not the end.
What if the average African in the Diaspora returns to the land of their heritage? The saying “One one coco full basket” could be fulfilled if average Africans abroad move with the little they have. The good thing is that their resources could be worth maybe five times more in Africa. We don’t have to wait on the billionaires or rich celebrities. The average African people, pooled together, have more economic power than billionaires and rich celebrities.
Our rich African heritage extends beyond culture—it is also a source of economic opportunity. Africa is rising. Its lands are fertile, its resources abundant, and its people full of potential. This is a perfect opportunity for African diasporans to seize and flourish in. I once heard a comment that every African could become a millionaire in Africa. But the first step is to identify with our rich African heritage and then to return home.
Promising Industries for Africans Abroad
Industries like technology, agriculture, and real estate are booming. Countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya are welcoming African descendants to contribute to national development. Programs such as “Beyond the Return” in Ghana are designed to encourage diasporans to settle and invest in Africa. The foundation is set, and it’s now time for African people abroad to take action.
By building businesses and supporting local economies, we reclaim control over our economic well-being. We break free from systems that limit our growth and potential. We must realize that our wealth is not just financial. It is also the power to uplift our communities and shape a bright future for our children.
Economic independence begins with recognizing the value Africa holds. Diasporans who return with skills and capital can make a lasting impact. When we pour back into the land, the land pours back into us.
3. Learning from History: Lessons from Our Ancestors
History is our teacher of wisdom. Our rich African heritage carries lessons of triumph and resilience. From the pyramids of Egypt to the empires of Mali and Songhai, Africa has always been the center of knowledge and power.
Our ancestors faced immense hardships. Even though colonialism and slavery tried to strip us of our identity, they could not destroy our spirits. Our forefathers have fought off oppression for us to be free. Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, and other Pan-African leaders knew the power of unity. They dreamed of a liberated Africa where her children would return to build a better future for themselves.
When we understand our history, we learn that Africa is not a place of weakness, but one of strength. We are the descendants of kings, queens and warriors who refused to be broken. When we reclaim our narrative, we restore our dignity.
The African diaspora is part of this story. Every step we take to return home adds a new chapter of triumph. We must continue to teach our children the truth about where we come from, ensuring that our rich African heritage is never forgotten.
4. Spiritual and Emotional Healing: Finding Peace at Home
There is a sense of healing that comes from returning home to Africa. Many diasporans describe an enriching feeling of peace and wholeness when they return. This spiritual connection is not by chance. Africa carries the heartbeat of our ancestors, and when we return home, we reconnect with their undying spirit.
African peoples have been disconnected from their spiritual roots, but Africa still holds the traditions that honor life and community. Whether through music, dance, or sacred spaces, there is an unbroken spiritual bond.
Emotional healing also comes from the sense of belonging. The truth is that Africans abroad do not belong there. For those who have experienced racial trauma in the West, Africa offers a refuge. Here, your skin is not a target but a reflection of your beauty and pride. In Africa, the colour of your skin is of no more significance than the colour of your eyes.
By embracing our African roots, we heal generational wounds. Also, we reclaim the identity that was stolen from us. Our mental, emotional, and spiritual health improves when we stand where we belong.
Why We Are Strongest at Home
I like a particular saying that goes, “We are better when we stay together.“ This is true for all people throughout the world, and it is no different for Africans. Africans must regroup as a people, regain their power, and reestablish their worth. Our rich African heritage is a witness to our past power and enlightenment.
When we return to Africa—whether physically or in spirit—we unlock our true identity. Our African heritage reminds us that we are not lost or broken. We are a people with a bulletproof legacy and a future lit with hope.
Home is not just a place. It is a state of being. In Africa, we find the freedom to be our best selves. We tap into the wisdom of our ancestors, the strength of our culture, and the economic power that paves a better future for us and our children.
The call to return home is not just a journey for one generation. It is a call to future generations to embrace their roots and build a legacy of pride, power, and progress.
If you feel the pull, listen to it. Your strength lies in your roots. And those roots are waiting for you, right at home in Africa. Will you heed the call to come home?
