After 218 Years, Haitians Trace Their Roots To Igboland

By Uche Mbah

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Friday, received a Haitian delegation who traced their roots to Igboland and  taken steps to reunite with their people.

Dressed in various shades of the traditional “ishi agu” attire, the people, led by a Haitian Senator, Moise Jean-Charles, paid a visit to Enugu State Government House, and were received by a representative of the Governor.

The ten-man delegation expected some change of names, adoption by their kinsmen and general integration into the Igbo culture and Society.

Enugu is seen as the original capital of Igboland by them.

Gov. Ugwuanyi was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Simon Uchenna Ortuanya.

Gov. Ugwuanyi was happy that they kept “a date with history, for following your heart, and for following your roots and getting back to your roots”.

“Today is a new beginning for all of us”, Ugwuanyi said

“We open our doors to you and we are ready, as we have demonstrated. We also want you to know that changing your names is in agreement with the Igbo tradition that you have a new name for a new born.

“Today, you are born new in Enugu State and in the land of your fathers. Congratulations!”

In reply, the leader of the delegation, Sen. Jean-Charles said the visit to Enugu State is home-coming to their origin in Igboland, while thanking Gov. Ugwuanyi for receiving them.

“I have visited many countries, many places around the world but this is the first time I have visited a country that everybody looks like me”.

He said just as Enugu means Hilltop, so does Haiti.

“I have not come here as a foreign person. I have come back home. Before I keep on talking, I want to, on behalf of all Haitians, all the blocks in Haiti, to thank you (Ugwuanyi) for receiving us after 218 years.

“We have decided that people in the whole continent of Africa and all of us who are there in Haiti are a wind following the bird from the African continent and it has brought bear in America which means all of us are one”.

Also on ground to receive them were the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ugonna Ibe, the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, the immediate past President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo and Ferdinand Anikwe.

The traditional naming and name adoption  ceremonies of the Haitians were performed by Igwe Agubuzu and other traditional rulers. The visitors also danced the Igede cultural dance.