Kwanzaa, which is an annual African American celebration of history and culture, begins on December 26th. Kwanzaa is built on seven Swahili principles and culminates on January 1st.
Black History Month (BHM)– is a month long celebration in February of Blackness!
These two cultural celebrations are the perfect opportunities to not only soak up some history, but also to TRAVEL!
Here are my recommendations of where to go in the world to get the best of both worlds (pun intended).
Antigua- This beautiful Caribbean island is land to 365 beaches. Antigua is also land to Devil’s Bridge. Devil’s Bridge is located in the Willikies area of Antigua. This limestone arch is a gorgeous overlook of the Atlantic Ocean. It has the unfortunate history of being the place where enslaved Africans would commit suicide to prevent continuing life in the sugarcane fields.
See more in my Antigua Travel Guide
Colombia– South America, more specifically Colombia, is full of African history. The city of Palenque, Colombia is a must visit stop for rich African history. Palenque is a city in Colombia that was the first founded by freed enslaved Africans. Palenque is considered the first free town of slavery in America.
*Alternate country to visit: Brazil
See more in my Colombia Travel Guide.
Zanzibar– This gorgeous archipelago is full of white sand beaches with clear turquoise waters. This East African country is also full of Middle Passage history. Zanzibar is a Swahili speaking country, which parallels the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
See more in my East Africa Travel Guide.
Egypt– This should be self explanatory. Egypt is the originator of civilization and a foundation of Black History. This African country encompasses so much rich history and culture. Egypt is well known for its African monuments and statues, involuntarily minus some prominent African features. I recommend starting in south Egypt in the city of Aswan. Aswan is full of beautiful Nubian people, the original people of Egypt. Aswan also host the Nubian Museum.
See more in my Egypt Travel Guide.
Kenya– This country is known for its animals and safaris, but there is also a ginormous amount of history in this East African country. Kenya is home to 2 million old fossils of hominids, pre-originators of humans. Kenya was also a large part in the Swahili trade, which expanded culture and language throughout the world. Kenya is also full of history celebrating independence, including the must see Maasai.
See more in my East Africa Travel Guide.
Belize– The only English speaking country in Central America has plenty of African history. Southern Belize and the town of Dangriga are a must visit. Belizeans of African descent are descendants from the Garífuna. The Garifuna are descendants of a shipwrecked slave ship, who intermarried with the Arawak Indians of the island of St. Vincent, in the Caribbean. In the 1700s, St. Vincent served as a refuge for escaped African slaves who had been brought to the Caribbean by Europeans. African drums are still a prominent part of Garífuna culture.
See more in my Belize Travel Guide.
Barbados– This gorgeous island is full of beautiful beaches, beautiful African-Barbadians and history. It is estimated that between 1627 and 1807, approximately 387,000 enslaved Africans were sent to Barbados. Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, also served as a redirecting station for enslaved Africans to the US, other Caribbean islands and Venezuela.
See more in my Barbados Travel Guide.
Ghana– This Gold Coast country is known for its history in the slave trade and Middle Passage, but Ghana’s history expands much more than that. Ghana, was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. Ghana has served as a place where Blacks can go to escape the racism that is experience in the US. Ghana is also the official hosting site of Afrofuture (previously known as Afrochella) a widely known celebration of Black music, art, food, and culture across the Diaspora.
*Alternate country to visit: Nigeria
Which country do you plan to visit?