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Back to Africa in the 21st Century: The Cultural Reconnection Experiences of African American Women

Arunga, Marcia Tate
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0648-2288
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch149315357668899

Abstract Details

2017, Ph.D., Antioch University, Leadership and Change.
The purpose of this study is to examine the lived experiences of 18 African American women who went to Kenya, East Africa as part of a Cultural Reconnection delegation. A qualitative narrative inquiry method was used for data collection. This was an optimal approach to honoring the authentic voices of African American women. Eighteen African American women shared their stories, revelations, feelings and thoughts on reconnecting in their ancestral homeland of Africa. The literature discussed includes diasporic returns as a subject of study, barriers to the return including the causes of historic trauma, and how Black women as culture bearers have practiced overcoming these barriers by returning to the ancestral homeland. The data revealed that Cultural Reconnection delegations created an enhanced sense of purpose and a greater understanding of their roots and themselves. Participants further experienced a need to give back, participated in womanism, and gained a greater spiritual connection to their ancestors. Stereotypes and myths were dispelled. Leadership skills were improved. Participants gained a clear vision of the next step in their personal lives, an overall greater understanding of themselves. This dissertation offers significant insights into the nature and benefit of ancestral returns, and the cultural components of leadership and change, especially for diasporas who were involuntarily stolen from their native lands. The electronic version of this dissertation is available in open access at AURA, Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu/ , and OhioLINK ETD Center, http://etd.ohiolink.edu
Philomena Essed, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Laura Morgan Roberts, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
W. Joye Hardiman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Filomina Steady, Ph.D. (Other)
210 p.
Adult Education; African American Studies; African Studies; American Studies; Black History; Black Studies; Educational Leadership; Multicultural Education; Sociology; Womens Studies
Leadership; African diaspora; cultural reconnection; womanism; African Americans; Kenya; Black women; females; Africa; ancestral homeland; cultural exchange; lived experience; homecoming; intercultural communication; heritage tourism; narrative analysis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Arunga, M. T. (2017). Back to Africa in the 21st Century: The Cultural Reconnection Experiences of African American Women [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch149315357668899

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Arunga, Marcia. Back to Africa in the 21st Century: The Cultural Reconnection Experiences of African American Women. 2017. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch149315357668899.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Arunga, Marcia. "Back to Africa in the 21st Century: The Cultural Reconnection Experiences of African American Women." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch149315357668899

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch149315357668899
1,096
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.