Culture

Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle claims 43% Nigerian roots

Published

2 years ago

October 26, 2022

The Duchess of Sussex and wife of Britain’s Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, Meghan Markle, claims she is an African with a 43% Nigerian root.

The mother of two who made the stunning revelation during a conversation with Senegalese-American actress and comedian, Issa Rae, and Nigerian-American comedian, Ziwe Fumudoh, on Tuesday, said she found out her roots when she took a genealogy test years ago and the result revealed that she is 43% Nigerian.

A genealogical DNA test is a DNA-based test used that looks at specific locations of a person’s genome to find or verify ancestral genealogical relationships or to estimate the ethnic mixture of an individual.

In the conversation which is part of her latest podcast episode, Archetypes, titled “Upending the angry black woman myth”, Markle said she is very positive of her Nigerian roots.

”I had my genealogy test done a couple of years ago and I am 43 percent Nigerian,” Markle said.

A shocked Fumudoh who was taken aback, excitedly shouted:

“No way. Are you serious? This is huge. Igbo, Yoruba, do we know?”

The Duchess of Sussex then tells her listeners: “I’m going to start to dig deeper into all of this because anyone I’ve told, especially Nigerian women, are just like, what?”

This is not the first time Markle has hinted that her roots are likely to be African.

She had once told an interviewer about being biracial with her mother an African-American while her father is Caucasian, but did not delve deeper into her roots until now.

“Being biracial paints a blurred line that is equal parts staggering and illuminating.

“While my mixed heritage may have created a grey area surrounding my self-identification, keeping me with a foot on both sides of the fence, I have come to embrace that.

“To say who I am, to share where I’m from, to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman,” had said in the interview.

Related Topics:Duchess of Sussex Featured Meghan Markle Nigerian Claim

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Culture

Egypt unveils stamp to mark 100th anniversary of relationship with Brazil

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Egyptian Post Board has unveiled a stamp to mark its 100th anniversary of relations with Brazil.

The commemorative stamp which was unveiled on Thursday, is designed with an artistic image that contains some of the famous tourist attractions in both countries.

With a size of 4 cm by 6 cm,
the stamp is insured against counterfeiting, multi-colored, and is value 10 Egyptian pounds.

According to Dr. Sherif Farouk, Chairman of the Egyptian Post Board of Directors, the stamp is equipped with QR Code technology, with the aim of creating a “rich interactive experience for those who possess them, enabling them to acquire the necessary knowledge about this occasion in an innovative and attractive way.”

“Egyptian-Brazilian relations are characterized by mutual trust, and close and constructive cooperative relations,” Dr. Farouk said.

He further explained that during the past years, Egypt and Brazil were able to develop means of cooperation to include many fields, which informed the idea by Egyptian Post to take the initiative of issuing a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Egyptian-Brazilian relations

“The anniversary stamp has the aim of strengthening the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries,” he stated.

Dr. Farouk added that commemorative stamp is an important means of cultural communication between different countries of the world, and document the history of nations throughout the ages.

“Therefore, the Egyptian Post is always keen to issue commemorative stamps on important events and occasions to document and commemorate those events,” he noted.

Culture

Ghanaians celebrate return of Asante Gold artefacts looted by British

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Ghanaians, especially those from the ancient Asante region, have been in joyous mood as they flocked to the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the region, to welcome the 32 golden artefacts which were returned to the Kingdom in a loan deal by the United Kingdom after they were looted about 150 years ago.

The agreement to loan back the artefacts to their original owners for an initial period of three years was reached between two British museums, the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and British Museum, and the Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with a possible of further extending the loan period.

The returned precious items have been on display at palace museum since they were returned and have been a source of joy for the people as they troop in daily to see and have a feel of their ancient history.

The return of the artefacts also coincides with the silver jubilee celebration of the Asantehene.

Some of the items, described by as “Ghana’s crown jewels” were looted during the Anglo-Ashanti wars of the 19th Century, including the famous Sargrenti War of 1874.

Among the returned artefacts are the sword of state, gold peace pipe and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king.

Other items like the gold harp (Sankuo) which were given to a British diplomat in 1817.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who spoke on the significance of the returned items, said the dignity of the Kingdom has been restored.

“This is a day for Asante. A day for the Black African continent. The spirit we share is back.

“We acknowledge the very painful history surrounding the acquisition of these objects.

“These treasures have borne witness to triumph and trials of the great kingdom and their return to Kumasi is testament to the power of cultural exchange and reconciliation,” the King added.