Black Jewish Tribes of Africa (Part 3: From Ethiopia to Israel)

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Tacitus, Ethiopians and Black St. Paul

Roman historian Tacitus wrote that many of his time believed that the Jews “were a race of Ethiopian origin.”

The Bible classifies the Ethiopians & Jews together, “Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the Lord.” (Amos 9:7)

Black Paul is mistaken for an “Egyptian” and declares himself to be a “Jew.” (Acts 21:37-39, 22: 2,3) 

Persia and Ashanti

It has also been speculated that the Jewish presence and influence was greatly helped by the ancient gold trade between Persia and Africa.

Jews were the main intermediaries of this trade in the medieval ages since most Muslims (due to Islamic laws prohibition on usury) were wary of its usurious dimensions.

These Jewish itinerant traders came to rely on contacts with the various Jewish communities of West African who proved no mean help in sourcing the scarce commodity. Thus, for instance, the silk of the Royal Kente cloths of the Ashanti reputedly came from China. 

Various historical accounts claim that Jewish travelers from Persia had organized exchanges of Chinese silk for gold in the Kingdom of Ghana; the Ashanti needed the silk for weaving Kente cloth and the Jews need gold for their intrinsic and fiscal value. It is said that the Ashanti words for numbers relate to those in Parsi, the language of Persia. See Lichtblau.

Genetics

Haplogroup E3B

The E3b haplogroup has been observed in all Jewish groups world wide. It is considered to be the 2nd most prevelent haplogroup amoung the Jewish population.

All the major studies agree that E-M35 is the second highest in prevalence next to J, for “Founding Jewish Lineages.” http://www.familytreedna.com/pdf/Behar_contrasting.pdf.

It is found in moderate amounts in all Jewish populations, from Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Kurdish, Yemen, Samaritan and even among Djerba Jewish groups.

The scientific consensus is that Haplogroup E3b (M35) appears to have originated in East Africa, but has been carried from there to the Near East and then on to North Africa and Europe. Today it is most common in East Africa, North Africa, the Near East and around the Mediterranean.

Haplogroup J

Haplogroup J (previously known as HG9 or Eu9/Eu10) is a Y-chromosome DNA haplogroup. T is subdivided into two subclades: haplogroup J2, defined by the M172 marker, and haplogroup J1, defined by the M267 marker.

Of special interest are maps that show the geographical spread of the J haplogroup. J1 and J2 are both common in southern Europe, central Europe, the Mediterranean region, and Africa. The J haplogroup is considered to be a signature gene of Jewish ancestry and the cohen modal gene happens to be a subgroup of J.

In fact, the highest frequencies of J1 (M267) are seen in the Middle East, north Africa, and Ethiopia. See (Thomas et al. 1999). J2 (M172) also exists in significant proportions across Africa especially among the semitic speaking peoples of Tigriniya, Amhara, and Oromiya.

The J1’s from the Middle East and North Africa seem to be distinguishable from the rest of J’s by having YCAII=22,22. Behar et al found that a significant proportion of the Jewish population of Europe (more than 20%) carry the J1 haplogroup. The other 20% carry the J2 haplogroup. See Behar et al Hum Genet (2004) 114: 354-365

Cohen Modal Haplotype

The presence among the Lemba of a disproportionate number of men carrying a particular polymorphism on the Y chromosome known as the Cohen modal haplotype suggests an ancestral link to the Jewish population. One sub-clan within the Lemba, the Buba clan, is considered by the Lemba to be their priestly clan. Among a small sample of the Buba, fifty-two percent of males were found to carry the Cohen modal haplotype CMH, which is generally suggestive of Y-DNA haplogroup J, but notably prevalent among Jewish Kohanim, or priests.

Decline of the Black Jews of Africa

Many reasons have been sought for the decline and virtual disappearance of Africa’s once thriviing Jewish communities of black Jews. Many see the beginning of this decline as contemporaneous with the advent of the Islamic religion in Africa.

Some historical accounts highlight the fact that black Jews were die-hard nationalistic traditionalists and had led the black African resistance against the influx of the black muslim jihadists and their new interpretation of morality. The most notableof these black Jewish nationalists was Queen Kahina Dahiya Bint Thabitah ibn Tifan otherwise known as El-Kahina. A descendant of one of the priestly Black Jewish families of North Africa, Kahina led the nationalist resistance against the muslim invasion until her defeat at the hands of Hassan Ibn Numan. See Margolis, “History of Jewish people”, 1927 pages 278-279. See also Remy Ilona, “The Igbos: Jews in Africa?” volume 1, Research Findings Historical Links, Commentaries, Narratives,” 2004, Mega Press Limited, Abuja, Nigeria.

Amidst this tumult, the Jews of Northern and West Africa were given a choice of conversion or emigration. Many left for the deeper forest recesses of West Africa seeking the peace and tranquility that appeared to elude them in each generation. The late incursions by the colonialist christian elements of Europe did not make matters any better. There seems to have been a direct link between the incursion of relatively modern religions in Africa and the decline of the ancient practise of the Hebrews which had a pride of place in Africa, its mother land.

For instance the Jewish enclaves of Qamnurya or Naghira in the area of modern Senegal was destroyed completely in the wake of sectarian unrest. Similarly, Al-Maghili a prominent black Muslim noble not only destroyed the Jewish enclaves of Tuat in the old Mali empire, he convinced other potentates throughout the Western Sudan to banish Jews from the empire’s cities. See Remy Ilona, supra.

Lichtblau speculates that: although “…Jewish presence is also confirmed by numerous surviving accounts of Portuguese and other European visitors in the 14th and 15th centuries, as well as North African and Arab historical records… gradually most of these communities disappeared. Since they existed largely in isolation, there was a good deal of intermarriage which for a while reinforced their influence and expansion. As a result they were increasingly viewed as a threat by Muslim rulers, and most of the Jewish communities and nomad groups south of the Atlas mountains were either forced to convert to Islam or massacred; the remainder fled to North Africa, Egypt or the Sudan, and a few also to Cameroon and Southern Africa.”

Jide Uwechia

August 19, 2007

http://www.africaresource.com/rasta/sesostris-the-great-the-egyptian-hercules/the-black-jews-of-africa-part-2-jews-of-nigeria-senegal-and-congo/

http://www.africaresource.com/rasta/sesostris-the-great-the-egyptian-hercules/the-black-jews-of-africa-part-1/


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219 thoughts on “Black Jewish Tribes of Africa (Part 3: From Ethiopia to Israel)”

  1. Have you noticed when Igbos gather it is customary since ancient time to greet thus: Igbo Kwenu! Then the people would reply : YAH! Always this is what obtains in every formal gathering of Igbos before the coming of the Europeans. It would translate thus: Igbo Hail! And the reply : YAH. The shortened version of the the name of the Lord God of Israel WHICH NO RIGHT THINKING ISRAELITE WOULD SAY IN FULL!
    Judah is the corrupted version of Yehuda which means Give praise. In Igbo Ye hu uda (onu) means to praise loudly.

    This really brings the question to mind: are these coincidences.
    Why is the full title of God in Igbo Chukwu Abuoma. Transliterated it means The Great God of Abuoma ( Abraham)
    Why are there Igbos that can tell you the names of there ancestors: for example, Eri son of Gad(or one of his lineal descendants), ancestor of many Igbos built a memorial @ Aguleri (Agulu-Eri) named OBi GAD (Dwelling of Gad).
    Ozubulu : Zebulun, probably Next wave of hebrews to migrate.

  2. Jogbehah
    Numbers 32:35
    Judges 8:11
    Very few Caucasians would be able to pronounce the “Gb” consonant that is part of Igbo (Ibo) language. They would simplify the GB to B. Yet paleo-Hebrew clearly had “gb” which many smart alecks would try to convince me was pronounced “JOG BEHAH or worse still JO-BEHAH”

  3. Okafor

    I would like to take a tour of Nigeria. I am more interested in visiting the Rural parts. i.e to see traditional dances, talk to chiefs/elders, visit museums etc.

    Are there any reputable companies which offer cultural toursim packages?

    Coz I get shocked by a lot of similarities when I watch Naija movies. i.e. house structures, the pots, Kola nuts, (coffee beans), the way women quarrel/ gossip i.e. Ganda and Igbo.

    Otherwise is there a one stop library or museum I can visit in Abuja or Lagos?.

    oh by the way In intend having a blast (party) too while am there.
    Thanks

  4. Muwanga,
    you may be interested to know that in Adamawa state of Northern Nigeria, there is a tribe called Ganda. Their language is also called Ganda, the town is called Ganda.

    sadly there are not many tourism companies in Nigeria. Here are a few you may try,

    Leisureafrique
    LAGOS OFFICE

    Address:
    1B, Tinuade Street
    Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja 100281
    Lagos, Nigeria

    Telephone: +234 1 2714573, 7625573, 8539138
    Fax: +234 1 4602138 | Mobile: +234 8023103854, 08055252066. 0803 3151776

    Email: info@leisureafrique.travel

    ABUJA OFFICE

    Address:
    Suite B107, 11, Dunukofia Street
    Area 11, Garki, Abuja
    Federal Capital Territory.

    Telephone: +234 9 6703349, +234 806 6060034, +234 803 3151776, 08094697756
    Fax: +234 9 3149367

    Email: abuja@leisureafrique.travel

    Nike’s Tours

    All of your travel within Nigeria is provided in air-conditioned cars and vans. You schedule your travel to suit your needs (please keep in mind that all travel between cities should be done in daylight). Nigeria can be daunting to a newcomer, so Nike and her staff will be happy to accompany you as you shop, run errands, visit museums or just wander about the town.

    Tel:
    +234 1 2705964
    +234 1 2705965
    +234 80 330 36969
    +23…
    Email: art@nikeart.com
    http://www.nikeart.com

    Alken Tours

    We are a full service, fully computerized Travel Wholesale firm that prides itself in selling quality travel products which are specially designed to suit the preferences of our many clients from diverse industries. We tailor our services to meet both the personal and professional needs of our clientele.
    1661 Nostrand Ave.
    Brooklyn, NY 11226
    Tel: (80… * (718…
    Fax: (718) 282-1152
    Email: africa@alkentours.com

    http://www.alkentours.com

  5. @Muwanga,
    the above information should be thoroughly verified by you. thanx.

  6. Good morning Muwanga, Dr. Sullemani, and all contributors to this website. I thank you Jide. Sometime, a year or two ago, I took time off from blogging to complete my research on Ancient People (Hebrew). The Book is now completed, published, and is now selling at Amazon.com. The title of the book is “BEFORE THE COVENANTS: Tracing Abraham the Hebrew to the Temple at Ezi Kanabo. The research of this book uncovered three landmark historical facts not readily known before:
    . I traced Abraham, the spiritual father of the Jews, Christians, and Moslems to a Temple in the town of Agukwu in Anambra State, Nigeria today. The temple is called the Temple of Ezi Kanabo, and Kanabo is Abraham’s maternal grandfather.
    2. The research also uncovered that Abraham’s ancestors were originally banished from a land called Aladinma for choosing to worship the God of heaven over the gods of their land and they fled to Mesopotamia and established a new city which they named after the God they had known from Aladinma. Hence, Ur of Chaldea/Chaldim (Ora Chialadinma or people of the God of the good land). This Aladinma is Igboland.
    3. I uncovered through the same research that Igbo language is not only the original Hebrew, but the language that God spoke during creation – a language that is older than the universe. No scholar, Jew or otherwise can refute this finding.
    My knowledge of Igbo language in its various dialects made it possible to uncover these facts. And what I am saying is not based on probabilities or maybes, but from evidences that can be seen and confirmed today. My Wesite is http://www.beforethecovenants.com. Blessed is the Name of the Holy One of Israel.

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