Cultural Education & Heritage Publishing With Global Reach
Diaspora Scavengers is a haven that nurtures the soul through cultural education and heritage publishing. Bridging the gap between past and present, ...
A Unique Blend of African Tradition and Education
Infused with traditions, Diaspora Scavengers stands apart through its griot voice and community-centric mission. The unique blend of firsthand cultural ...
Our Journey: Bridging Ancestral Wisdom and Modern Life
Guided by a legacy of truth and resilience, Diaspora Scavengers began as a journey to bridge cultural chasms. Through personal stories, ancestral ...
Meet Our Founder
Amadu Massally
Founder & Lead Cultural Strategist
Amadu Massally, with his insightful work that spans continents, has published notable research and fostered unity among the African Diaspora. He crafts educational resources that highlight African narratives and leads efforts in heritage tours connecting diverse cultures. Author of The Gullah Geechee Saga: Through African Eyes, Amadu is a respected leader coordinating cultural exchanges and promoting diasporic understanding across the U.S., Caribbean, and West Africa.
All of these people you see were landing on African soil for the first time. It happened to be in Sierra Leone; a small country in West Africa with strong links to the Gullah Geechees. December 28th, 2019 about 50-odd African Americans visited.
They are descendants of Africans who were taken from West Africa and other parts for their rice-growing skills to work on plantations for the new colonists in the North American Colonies. Some of them were visiting Africa for the very first time.
On a trip that was based on slavery (or the slave trade), resistance (to the trade), and abolition (freedom from slavery), the first place we visited was Bunce Island. "A place where history sleeps" as some have cited.
A renowned Gullah Geechee Traveling Theater, led by Aunt Pearlie Sue, had an opportunity to visit Bunce Island, where some of their ancestors may have come from. The Director of the film Gullah Roots, Betsy Newman, is also seen in the photo.
We took our guests to a place called Old Yagala. A mesa where Africans protected themselves from human invaders. Who were also Africans!
Ron Daise was adopted as a citizen of Rogbonko Mathaka. This is the only place where the "shuku blay" or sweetgrass baskets are made. We brought with us a 7-generation sweetgrass basket maker from Mt. Pleasant, SC to this town. See their page.
Amadu Massally narrated what the trip entailed. A visit that illustrated Slavery, Resistance and Abolition. Plus some Gullah Geechee stops in the sweetgrass basket village and the village of the Mende song.
The Gullah Geechee visitors taught their culture to Sierra Leoneans in plays, stories and songs. It was a thing to see for their hosts.
In a luncheon prepared and hosted by the Mayor of Freetown, our visitors were able to try a variety of dishes; including rice ones in a rich cultural environment; with stories, performances and foodways.
Seems like the Mayor of Freetown and Gullah leader, Anita Singleton-Prather had a heart-to-heart talk? Priceless!
And then I hung out with a "Gongoli" in Kenema. It is a Mende culture masquerade. Many of the folks on our tour had tested as Mendes via their DNA. So we visited Mende culture and tradition.
We visited Old Fourah Bay College. Founded in 1827, and with the first Principal being a Gullah Geechee from Charleston, SC, it was fitting to visit the first tertiary institution in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Rice Feast Festival on December 29 saw more than 20 varieties of how Sierra Leoneans prepare and consume rice.