Black, Caribbean & Free: Lessons From Africa

When Kenisha from Global Moves reached out to me to share her story about the joy of visiting Africa as a Jamaican of African descent, I was ecstatic. After all, I dream of visiting Africa one day and imagine it would stir a deep sense of connection, pride, and homecoming. I believe that walking on the same soil as my ancestors, and witnessing the vibrant cultures, languages, music, and traditions that have shaped Caribbean identity, would evoke powerful emotions and feel more like a spiritual journey than another trip. Until that fateful day, stories like this one satiate my wanderlust. Here is Kenisha’s story.

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Why Jamaicans Should Visit Africa

“When I finally set foot on African soil, I assumed something in me would click, that I’d feel an instant connection, a sense of home perhaps. The truth is, it wasn’t quite that simple. I was reminded that being Black doesn’t mean you automatically feel a sense of belonging in Africa. You soon realize that “Black” is not truly an identity. Tribes, cultures, religions, and languages play a much bigger role in “belonging”. What I did find though, was something more nuanced— moments of cultural curiosity, warmth, and a mirror that reflected both what I’d gained from being Jamaican… and what we may have lost.

“Race, culture, and identity are layered — and sometimes confronting. In South Africa especially, with 12 official languages, you can feel very different while sharing the same skin tone. I was, however, pleasantly surprised about the deep interest other African nationals expressed about Jamaica and Jamaicans. I learnt that Zimbabweans (especially men) strongly resonated with Jamaican culture. I was shocked with how pleased they were to finally meet a Jamaican person. They are deeply inspired by Reggae and incorporate it heavily in their own music. While they
might not quite understand all the words, they can still match their musical knowledge with any Reggae fan in Jamaica.

Read next: Where to enjoy live reggae music in Jamaica

“What was interesting as well, is realizing that many people have no idea where Jamaica is actually located. I’ve been asked where in Africa is Jamaica, by Africans! In many eyes around the world, Jamaica is a paradise. Many were shocked when I shared our economic difficulty and the issues with crime and safety. People shared their favorite music and were so pleased to hear my recommendations. I felt more comfortable speaking with a Jamaican accent than the automatic “twang” I would put on when traveling to afford easier communication. It’s strange how being appreciated for my culture scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. I ended up staying for four months!

“Observing tribes, languages, and deep cultural practices in Kenya and South Africa made me realize how deeply disconnected we as Jamaicans are from our ancestral cultures. We have become so Westernized. Many of us cannot trace our African ancestry and have no desire to. What we have done is create a whole new culture after being stolen from our ancestral lands and endured almost 500 years of slavery and colonization. This culture is recognized all over the world. Unfortunately though, it seems some of us glorify the United States and other western nations to the point of rejecting our African identity as primitive and embracing colonialist ideals. Visiting South Africa and Kenya exposed an ache of not knowing my tribe and not understanding a deeper heritage of my forefathers.

“While I didn’t belong by default — I was welcomed. There’s a quiet beauty in that. I learned to accept that my roots may be tangled, but they still matter. Belonging, I realized, isn’t always about having a home that fits you perfectly. Sometimes it’s about shared stories, mutual curiosity, and the willingness to build bridges where none exist. Spending seven formative years of my childhood in the United States already made my cultural identity a little fluid. So perhaps that’s why I was prepared to find meaning beyond labels. Traveling Africa gave me the space to redefine what belonging means for me. It isn’t tied to bloodlines or geography, but to how we show up for each other with openness, care and genuine curiosity.

“To my fellow Jamaicans, and to [Black people] in the diaspora: I encourage you to make the journey. Go with an open heart, knowing that it’s okay to feel out of place sometimes. It’s okay if things don’t click immediately. What matters is the reconnection — to land, to people, to yourself. Even if your roots are complicated, they are still yours. And there is power in remembering, reclaiming, and reimagining who we are.”

Read Next: Why Jamaicans Should Explore the Rest of the Caribbean

Wrap Up

Kenisha is a Jamaican digital nomad passionate about helping people from the Caribbean explore the world confidently. After visiting 23 countries, she now shares tools, stories, and resources to help others live, work, and belong abroad. I hope you enjoyed her passionate recollection of the deep complexities and ties to Africa which shape Caribbean identity, and leave feeling inspired to visit!

In other news, Adventures from Elle is a few hundred reads away from its first MILLION reads! Look out for a celebratory article and Instagram post to commemorate the milestone later this month. Keep me in your prayers as I write what I hope will be my final exams in a long long time, and cheers to new adventures and regular articles by July (hopefully!). I miss being consistent on here, but everything has its season. Don’t forget to subscribe and watch this space! ‘Til next time.

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