Kunta Kinte (aka Kunta Kante / Kunte) is the principle Mandinka character from the book titled Roots: The Saga of An American Family (Doubleday: ) written by the Pulitzer Prize winning author Alex Haley. It is roughly based on his family's oral history starting with the capture of his slave ancestor, Kunta Kinte, in the village of Juffureh (Juffure), The Gambia, in the
It was the recited family stories he was told as a youth in the s and s that inspired him to take more interest into his ancestry. His genealogical interest took on more decisive action while in discussion with his publishers, Doubleday, about a book deal chronicling his clans history. His publishers were so impressed about the uniqueness of his proposal that they agreed to advance him money to further his research.
The Story Unfolds:
After extensive interviews with members of his close relatives, including his grandmother, Cynthia Palmer, as well as his interviews with people in expert libraries he concluded that his descendant, Kunta Kinte, was kidnapped by slavers in Juffure which is in the tiny country of The Gambia, West Africa, way back in the s.
It w
The Inspiration
Alex Haley Portrait
Alexander Murray Palmer Haley was born on August 11, , in Ithaca, New York. He was the youngest child of Simon Alexander and Bertha Palmer Haley. At the time of Alex’s birth, his father was a graduate student at Cornell University, and his mother was a music teacher.
As a young boy, Alex Haley first learned of his African ancestor, Kunta Kinte, by listening to the family stories of his maternal grandparents while spending his summers in Henning, Tennessee. According to family history, Kunta Kinte landed with other Gambian Africans in “Naplis” (Annapolis, Maryland) where he was sold into slavery.
Alex Haley’s quest to learn more about his family history resulted in his writing the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Roots. The book has been published in 37 languages and was made into the first week-long television mini-series, viewed by an estimated million people. Roots also generated widespread interest in genealogy.
Roots: The Saga of an American Family
by Alex Haley
Haley’s writing career began after he entered the U.S. Coast Guard in Haley was the first member of the U.S. Coast Guard with a Journalist designation (rating). In the U
Kunta Kinte Is Born
(This article is actually the first chapter of Roots: The Saga of An American Family. It was later published as: Kunta Kinte Is Born within Heritage: African American Readings For Writers by Margaret G. Lee, Joyce M. Jarrett and Doreatha D. Mbalia.)
When he was fifty-four years old, Alex Haley ( &#; ) published his monumental book Roots: The Saga of an American Family (). Chronicling Haley&#;s descent from the African named Kunta Kinte, this work (and the subsequent television miniseries) had a tremendous influence, especially on African Americans. It taught them to be proud of their heritage and to enthusiastically seek their roots.
Haley&#;s story begins in with the birth of a West African boy named Kunta Kinte. He is kidnapped by slave traders 17 years later, brought to America in a crowded ship, and sold in Annapolis, Maryland for $ What follows is a heartbreaking yet eventually triumphant story of the struggles of Kinte&#;s descendants to survive and adapt. Through the years they were determined to keep their African ties alive.
&#;This is not just the saga of my family,&#; says Haley. &#;It is the symbolic saga of a people. Every black person in th
Roots: The Real Kunta Kinte and Alex Haley's Quest for Identity
Unraveling Fact from Fiction in a Landmark Saga
Alex Haley's groundbreaking novel "Roots" captivated audiences worldwide with its powerful narrative of African American heritage. At the heart of this saga stands Kunta Kinte, a young Gambian man torn from his homeland and forced into slavery in America. Haley's work sparked a cultural phenomenon, inspiring millions to explore their own ancestral roots and confront the painful legacy of slavery.
Kunta Kinte's story begins in in the Gambian village of Juffure. Haley's research led him to believe that his ancestor was captured at age 17 and transported to Annapolis, Maryland aboard the slave ship Lord Ligonier. This journey marked the beginning of a multi-generational tale of survival, resilience, and the preservation of African cultural identity in the face of oppression.
While debate surrounds the historical accuracy of some details in "Roots," the impact of Haley's work remains undeniable. His quest to uncover his family's history resonated deeply with readers, encouraging a broader understanding of the African American experience. The st
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