Kenyan teen claims Chinese heritage
JC
Thanks to Tony for the heads-up on this article — it was actually published several months ago, but we hadn’t seen it. Through the DNA testing of her mother’s hair, Mwamaka Sharifu, a 19 year old Kenyan girl, found out that her descendents were Chinese sailors who settled in Kenya in the latter part of the 14th Century. After getting this info, she wrote a letter to the Chinese embassy explaining her wish to pursue her studies in China. I am a little curious about what prompted the DNA testing (by “Chinese experts” no less) in Kenya in the first place…but I guess it’s a fad not only sweeping our nation, but others as well ?
She says she is a descendant of sailors travelling with Chinese explorer Zheng He (1371-1435) in the Ming Dynasty. Sharifu’s story has attracted a lot of attention, as this year is the 600th anniversary of Zheng’s first major voyage around the Indian Ocean. Some scholars believe Zheng is the first man to travel a direct sea route linking the Indian Ocean with the West.
Legend in Lamu Island says two of the Chinese ships struck rocks off the eastern coast of Kenya and 20 sailors swam ashore. However, local tribes said they could only stay if they could kill a big python in the village. One sailor - a master swordsman - lured the python out of the cave and killed it. The Chinese sailors stayed, married local women and converted to Islam.
Again, so interesting that the results of a DNA test usually affect major life changes. People feel comfortable completely claiming this new culture, letting it take them in new directions, and then also immediately see parts of the culture in themselves (I am gonna call it the “oh! THAT explains X” effect). 
Sharifu said she admires Zheng’s courage and adventurous spirit. “I was born as brave as my ancestors,” she said. “It is rare for girls in my Muslim village to go so far to study, to such a big and different country.” “My mum and dad were worried about me. But I told them I will be fine in my home country.”
“I want to learn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) so that I can treat my people in Kenya after graduation,” she explained. The Muslim girl wore a grey silk scarf around her neck. “When I was in Kenya, I used to wear the scarf on my head. But now I keep it lower, because I think people here like to see me.”
Adrianna wrote:
I just found out that my great grand father was half Italian. I’m pretty sure that I have other European ancestors. But does that give me the right to cal up the Italian embassy and tell them” I demand to be accepted into the country, I am a citizen!!” I don’t think so. I am happy to be from the caribbean. and i have acknowledged that I might be a swirl of of a races. But I am A black women that ’s how I view myself. I find it a litle disturbing to claim a certain cultural heritage just for benefit. In Haiti where I’m from that where the Dark skinned VS light skin thing originated. when you get preferencial treatment because you can claim a certain heritage, then you are contributing to the racism in the world. That is even if I can claim several cultural heritage, my family never made a big deal about it because that is not what a family and people are about.
Posted 30 Apr 2006 at 5:02 pm ¶
Lyonside wrote:
My main question is: Did she have an interest in Chinese medicine/culture BEFORE the DNA test (because of the island history)? Did she already apply to study in China before the DNA test? If the answers are yes and yes, then the DNA study enhances an existing interest. If not, then it does seem opportunistic.
I also grumble over the whole, “I’m smart and I want to travel and get a good education, so I must NOT be Kenyan.” I knew Kenyan students in college, and they were highly movitivated to succeed and give back. It’s NOT an Asian/Chinese thing, it’s a “good human being” thing.
PS: Also, traditional medicine? China also has, you know, antibiotics and ultrasounds too as well as traditional techniches that are increasingly being studied and sometimes used by “Western” medicine.
Posted 30 Apr 2006 at 7:09 pm ¶
April wrote:
I think that’s pretty cool if ya ask me.
Posted 30 Apr 2006 at 11:33 pm ¶
gatamala wrote:
I agree Lyonside. Self-loathing can be a pernicious thing….
Sailors! I swear…..Nothing ever changes.
Posted 01 May 2006 at 8:03 am ¶
Charlette wrote:
In response to Adriannes statement, she has fictionalized the young Kenyan girls article. It does not say that she demanded entry into China, she(wished) second, China was conducting the DNA tests. Ask, WHY?
Isn’t it clear that we are all related. Poor Adrianne is under the allusion that if you follow your inner self no matter what culture it draws you to is “seeking preferential’ treatment. Adrianne wants the same but she doesn’t obviously feel that she deserves what her heart desires because Blacks in America are perhaps still carrying the Victim Torch. And as long as they do the white americans will oblige. Yeah for this girl to show that our souls cross all color and cultural barriers.
Posted 01 May 2006 at 11:11 am ¶
Lyonside wrote:
Charlette (oh god where to begin):
1. fictionalized means to change events/circumstances/names to serve a story - is that really what Adrianne did? I think you meant, “misinterpreted”.
2. so what that we’re all “related,” yes, sure as a species. What does that have to do with ethnicity and potentially opportunistic uses of DNA testing?
3. “inner self?” The article doesn’t get into whether this is a new or old interest for the girl.
4. Wait - where does Adrianne say that SHE HERSELF wants preferential treatment?
5. “heart desires?” So she has a secret wish to what, eat pasta, take a picture of the leaning tower, and visit the Vatican because of a great grandparent? (Adrianna may, for all I know, but it’s not because of the ancestor)
6. souls? barriers? *blink* I have no idea what to say to this one.
Posted 01 May 2006 at 12:24 pm ¶
tmj wrote:
I love this story! You go girl! Without putting my “american” issues of race on this story, how rare is it that an African girl is afforded an opportunity like this! Regardless of the origin, she has been given a gift. I am not mad.
Posted 01 May 2006 at 2:12 pm ¶
eva wrote:
charlotte, i really do think that you have taken the comments made by Adrianna way out of context. I mean I do not know her but from the comments made, it does not seem that she has a desire or need to be treated prefentially, and granted we are all related, being that we are homo sapiens, but the point is, we are talking about DNA testing and the reasoning behind it,as well as benefits that arise from finding your point of origin. I have nothing against this individual getting in touch with her roots and her being offered an opportunity to further her studies. I hope that people understand that who she has become is a product of the culture that surrounds her, and the ambition that she may have for pursuit of a higher education is not resultant of her part Chinese heritage.
Posted 01 May 2006 at 3:40 pm ¶
Adrianna wrote:
It seems that you did not get what I was trying to convey here Charlette. What i was trying to say is that I hope that this girl don’t venture into thinking that she should receive any special treatement because of that DNA test. I ‘m looking at this story from the point of of someone who has had to deal with discrimination from other people of color, because of the History of my country. The positive side of DNA testing which is tracing your roots. but the dark side which i have seen happen without any DNA tests, is that some people might only do it to discover if they have some kind of “superior” blood AkA non- black , but as I say again I ‘m looking at this from the historical point of Caribbean culture. I wonder why would these Chinese expert do it ? I do beleive we are all the same. White, Black, Asian , Midddle Eastern. But there is still a color complex issue that some members of the community of color faces.
Posted 02 May 2006 at 12:05 am ¶
april wrote:
hey, i think that’s cool that you found that out. i’ve been tryin to find my heritage for a long time, but i don’t know how. but anyways that is so sool that you have chinese in you!
~ByE~
Posted 14 Jun 2006 at 11:52 pm ¶
SLR wrote:
“The greatest history book ever written is the one hidden in our DNA.” — Dr. Spencer Wells, Former Head of Oxford University’s Population Genetics Research group (Ph.D, Harvard; Postdoc Fellow, Stanford University)
Every person alive on the planet today shares a common maternal ancestor that lived in Africa roughly 150,000 years ago and a common paternal ancestor that also lived in Africa, but only 60,000 years ago. Fascinating…but how do we know? Through modern science (via genetic markers discovered through DNA testing and analysis). In the words of Dr. Wells, we are all essentially distant cousins separated by no more that 2,000 generations – members of the same extended family. So if we all share a common ancestry, why do we all look so different and how did we come to inhabit such far-flung places throughout the world?
If you are curious (like I was) about the field of population genetics/forensic genealogy and haven’t seen the very interesting documentary film “The Journey of Man” I highly recommend it. Previously broadcast on PBS, it illustrates the concept of linking DNA testing to human evolution and migratory patterns. Dr. Wells travels around the globe to analyze the DNA of indigenous people and the film provides a great visual sense of why, when, and how modern humans evolved. Another related documentary style film is “The Real Eve.” Both are available through Netflix and Amazon.com
Now, National Geographic, in partnership with IBM, the Waitt Family Foundation and Dr. Spencer Wells (Population Geneticist), has undertaken an unprecedented project to build the most comprehensive, anthropological, genetic database for mapping the migration and development of modern humans as they left Africa and settled in other parts of the world.
This is a massive, five (5) year, real-time, research project to collect thousands of DNA samples from indigenous and other people around the globe to essentially create a “human family tree.” Public participation is critical to the project’s success so I’m spreading the word about it for those who would like to take part.
To participate in a test for genetic markers that provides information on your deep ancestry, including information about your family origins and your relationships to other people around the world you will need to order a Genographic Project Public Participation Kit which contains the materials used to collect your DNA sample via an epithelial cheek swab. After mailing back your cheek swab you can access your results in complete anonymity. Your genetic data is only included in the global database of genetic information if you give your permission. The results of the project will be presented in aggregate to several media outlets including: TV, Internet, radio, newspapers etc.
A few important things to note:
- Your identity will not be disclosed and National Geographic does not have the ability to link your personally identifiable info with your genetic data.
- Your DNA is discarded after the project is completed and is not used for any other purpose without your written consent.
For additional questions concerning the Genographic Project and the procedures involved, you should visit:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/faqs.html
Please spread the word about this project to your family, friends and colleagues. Everyone has an ancient story encoded in their genes. I hope this project will serve to educate and inform as well as illustrate a story of human unity in diversity!
Posted 01 Jul 2006 at 12:26 am ¶
Waxx J wrote:
I am not mad @ this young lady. Personally, what she did was outright courageous N my opinion. I’d also like 2 point out that if more of us (N my area, esp. Detroit) -if time allows it-would take the time 2 trace our family history, we’ll be surprised @ what we come across. And that’s what this young Kenyan did. She took the x out 2 do some research and pondered over the revel8ions that she discovered. And 4 an Native African 2 discover that he/she is a descendent of Asian Royalty, just by a mere DNA sampling @ that, speaks alot of volumes. I wish Mwamaka Sharifu well in ALL her endeavors.
Posted 06 Sep 2006 at 2:50 pm ¶