A Man from Another Land: How Finding My Roots Changed My Life (36 page)

A newly crowned chief, I walked in a chief ceremony with local villagers.

Chief Gondobay Manga II examines the chief’s Tikpoi
(above)
and pours libation
(below)
.

The ceremony involves carrying the chief in a hammock-like throne and shielding him from the sun. Uncle Julius T. Manga is at my side during the procession
(above)
and strong young men carry me as the entire village surrounds us
(below)
.

Primary school students at Ngalu joined the procession
(above)
. The procession ended
(below)
at Chief Gondobay Manga I’s burial site, where I bowed down to honor my namesake warrior-leader who had defended the Ngalu village.

I raised my Tikpoi in triumph after becoming Chief Gondobay Manga II.

The Moorish Chief
by Eduard Charlemont. My mentor taught me that if you want something, get a photo of it, hang it on your wall, and meditate on it every day. I connected with this painting and began to see my spirit-self in this image.

From Freetown Airport, I journeyed back to the U.S. feeling fully African American! I was determined to give back to Africa by building a school in Sierra Leone.

At the Foday Golia Memorial School students are lined up for classes.

In front of the new building, the entire student body cheers!

The headmaster, Mr. Paul S. Moore, and his students at the school in Njala Kendema.