03/06/2024
The Blacks who came Before Columbus
Been here so long they don't have an official date!
VOICE OF THE ANCESTORS
Ivan Van Sertima, a pioneering Guyanese-born historian and anthropologist, significantly challenged the conventional historical narratives with his groundbreaking research on the African presence in pre-Columbian America. His most acclaimed work, "They Came Before Columbus," presents a compelling array of evidence—ranging from linguistic, archaeological, and historical data—to argue that Africans, particularly from West Africa, had established contact with the Americas long before Christopher Columbus's arrival. Van Sertima's work delves deep into the cultural exchanges between African and indigenous American civilizations, bringing to light the interactions that influenced the development of societies on both sides of the Atlantic. By highlighting ancient African voyages to the Americas, he opened up a critical discourse on the shared histories and contributions of Black people to the American continents, challenging the Eurocentric perspectives that have long dominated the study of history.
Van Sertima's meticulous scholarship reshaped our understanding of the pre-Columbian Americas, positioning Black people as integral to the continent's ancient history. Through his analysis of artifacts, such as the colossal stone heads in Mesoamerica with unmistakably African features, and his interpretation of first-hand European explorer accounts that mention encounters with Black populations in the Americas, Van Sertima built a case that was as provocative as it was enlightening. His assertion of an African presence in the Americas prior to Columbus not only contested the traditional narrative of discovery and colonization but also celebrated the rich, complex, and interconnected heritage of Black and indigenous peoples. His work remains a testament to the power of scholarship in uncovering forgotten or overlooked aspects of human history, encouraging a more inclusive and truthful account of our collective past. For more information on the Knowledge, wisdom and information mentioned in this Newsletter get your copy of our Best-selling book “13 Black Scholars who admitted there were Black people in the Americas before Columbus.”
- 13 Black Scholars who admitted there were Black people in the Americas Before Columbus
Text from: Voice Of The Ancestors
