After so much success with her Central African search, Tara inspired her friend Marcus to take a DNA test. He expected to see “West Africa” — but ended up completely floored by a list of names popping up that he’d never heard before, like Manding, Wolof, Yoruba, and Igbo. He said, “It felt like hearing a family story I’d never been told.” For millions of African Americans, names can have that effect, like pieces of a lost map you’re eager to fit together.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, West Africa was the main departure point for Africans forced into slavery in the Americas. From the coastal forts of Ghana and Senegal to the inland empires that stretch across modern-day Nigeria, Benin, and Mali, this region gave rise to powerful kingdoms, rich languages, and spiritual traditions that still resonate in Black American life today.
Key takeaways on West African roots of African Americans
- The majority of African Americans have ancestry linked to West African ethnic groups, due to centuries of transatlantic slavery.
- Key ancestral groups include:
- Mande (Manding) – Known for empires like Mali and Songhai
- Wolof – From present-day Senegal and Gambia
- Fulani (Fula, Fulbe, Peul) – A widespread nomadic group
- Akan – Dominant in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire
- Ewe and Fon – From the coastal region of modern-day Togo and Benin
- Yoruba and Igbo – From Nigeria, among the most represented in DNA results
- Hausa – A major Muslim trading culture from the Sahel and northern Nigeria
- Language, religion, music, and oral storytelling in African American communities carry a strong West African influence.
- Recognizing these connections deepens family history and reclaims cultural identity that was systematically erased.
West Africa and the atlantic slave trade
Between the 1500s and 1800s, West Africa was the primary region targeted by European slave traders. Forts lined the coasts of Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, and Benin. Inland, kingdoms rose and fell, some of them drawn into the slave trade by force or profit.
Millions of people were captured, marched to the coast, and sold into slavery, many from the ethnic groups listed below. These communities made empires — sprawling groups of artisans, farmers, warriors, and griots (oral historians) — and their legacies endure in the stories, rhythms, beliefs, and resilience of their descendants. Let’s explore a few:
Mande (Manding)
- Includes subgroups like the Bambara, Malinké, and Soninke
- Originated in present-day Mali, Guinea, and Senegal
- Gave rise to the Mali Empire, which peaked under Mansa Musa
- Known for griots, keepers of oral history and music
Wolof
- Centered in Senegal and The Gambia
- Highly organized kingdoms with urban centers and castes
- Influential in spreading Islam and Sufi practices
- Left cultural marks in African American music and food
Fulani (Fula, Fulbe, Peul)
- A widespread pastoral and nomadic group across West Africa
- Present in Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, and Cameroon
- Key players in the Fula jihads of the 18th–19th centuries
- Known for cattle herding, poetry, and Islamic scholarship
Akan
- Predominantly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire
- Includes the Ashanti and Fante peoples
- Strong matrilineal traditions and veneration of ancestors
- Famous for kente cloth, storytelling, and beautifully crafted stools with deep symbolism
Ewe
- Located in Togo, southeastern Ghana, and Benin
- Known for rich traditions in drumming, dance, and oral history
- Maintained localized chiefdoms rather than large empires
- Ewe spiritual beliefs influenced Vodun practices in the Americas
Fon
- Based in southern Benin, especially the Kingdom of Dahomey
- Central to the development of Vodun, which was later syncretized into Vodou in Haiti
- Powerful kingdom with a structured military and religious elite
- Left deep cultural marks in spiritual traditions and resistance movements
Yoruba
- One of the most prominent ancestral groups for African Americans
- Based in southwestern Nigeria
- Highly urbanized, with cities like Ife, Oyo, and Lagos
- Their Orisha-based religion influenced Santería, Candomblé, and more
Igbo
- Found in southeastern Nigeria
- Known for democratic village governance and entrepreneurship
- Believed to be overrepresented among enslaved Africans in Virginia
- Cultural influence evident in language, spirituality, and resilience
Hausa
- Lived in northern Nigeria and Niger, often in walled cities
- Masters of trade, craftsmanship, and Islamic learning
- One of the largest ethnic groups in Africa today
- Less represented in the Americas due to geography, but still present in ethnicity results
From DNA to identity
For people like Tara and Marcus, tracing their African ancestry reconnected them with a history that had been forcibly severed. Each name discovered — Igbo, Yoruba, Wolof, Fulani — was a thread leading back to music, faith, and family. With modern DNA testing and ancestry research, stories like these are being uncovered and retold every day – allowing lost legacies to live on all across the world.
Ready to uncover your West African heritage? Use MyHeritage’s advanced ethnicity estimates and historical records to go deeper than DNA. Every discovery brings you closer to the names, stories, and cultures that shaped your family’s journey. Begin your journey today with a MyHeritage DNA test and billions of historical records to rediscover your African roots.
FAQs on West African roots
Why are so many African Americans connected to West Africa?
The majority of enslaved Africans brought to the Americas came from West Africa. Coastal regions like present-day Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Benin were major points of capture and trade. As a result, many African Americans today have ancestry from ethnic groups in this region.
Can DNA tests really identify specific West African ethnic groups?
While no test is perfect, DNA technology has improved significantly. MyHeritage and other platforms now offer ethnicity estimates that can pinpoint likely ancestral links to groups like the Yoruba, Igbo, Akan, and more — especially when combined with historical and migration patterns.
What’s the difference between West African countries and ethnic groups?
Countries are modern political boundaries, but ethnic groups often span multiple countries. For example, the Fulani are found across more than 10 countries. Understanding ethnicity helps paint a more nuanced picture of cultural heritage.
How do West African cultures influence African American life today?
Many elements of African American culture — from music, food, and spirituality to language patterns and family structures — echo West African roots. Traditions like call-and-response singing, oral storytelling, and ancestor reverence have deep African origins.
How can I start tracing my African heritage?
Start with a DNA test and explore your ethnicity estimates. Pair that with family interviews, public records, and online archives. MyHeritage’s international collections and African American historical records are great resources to begin the journey.
David Ridd is a copywriter who specializes in storytelling across mediums, from bestselling books to branded content. With a personal passion for genealogy and family history, he enjoys exploring the hidden narratives that shape who we are.
The post West African Roots of African Americans: Ethnic Groups and DNA Connections appeared first on MyHeritage Blog.
Source: My Heritage