Motherland - A Genetic Journey

Like many other black Britons, Mark and Beaula derive part of their identity from their African descent. Jacqueline considers herself neither European nor African, but Jamaican. To them, it has always been a mystery where exactly their roots lie: it seemed that 500 years ago slavery not only robbed their ancestors of their freedom, but also of their ethnic identity. A large-scale genetic research project seems to bring relief. The blueprints of the DNA of 229 British blacks is compared with available DNA studies from the rest of the world. Mark and Beaula’s African relatives are traced back. They feel that a visit to the motherland will make everything come full circle. We have survived, Beaula whispers with great emotion in a cave from where slaves used to be transported. Still, the past turns out to be more complicated than expected. People may be descended from groups of Africans that also profited historically from the slave trade, as well as being victimized by it. To their surprise, many participants prove to have a male European ancestor. A genetics’ prof also remarks that the investigation can only point towards two of thousands of possible forebearers. Much remains to be discovered. It is not reasonable to hang one’s entire identity on such evidence, she thinks. And yet, this film is an incredible and honest and human inquest into the nature and contruction of identity, from which we can all benefit.