24-Year-old Vinicius Junior, Brazilian winger who plays for Real Madrid has shocked the world as his DNA test revealed that his decendants originated from Central Africa, particularly from Cameroon.
The certificate of Ancestry reads: “African ancestry hereby certifies that Vinicius Junior shares paternal genetic ancestry with the Tikars People Living In Cameroon, based on a patriclan analysis dated November 4, 2024”.
Vinicius’s DNA test shows the historical ties between Africa and South America, particularly during the transatlantic slave trade era, when millions of Africans were forcibly taken to work on plantations in the Americas. It’s likely that Vinicius’s great-great-great-grandfather was among those brought from Cameroon to Brazil during that time.
What’s the purpose of the DNA ?
In honor of Bla-ck C0nsciousness Day, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) revealed the an-cestry of Vinicius Júnior, one of Brazil’s top players.
A careful DNA test was carried out on Tuesday November 19th, 2024, at Fonte Nova, prior to the match against Uruguay in the 12th round of the South American qualifiers.
The CBF discovered that Vini Jr.’s ancestors were part of the Tikar tribe in Cameroon. This initiative is part of the ‘Roots of Gold’ campaign, which highlights the pride and history of the Afro-Brazilian community, especially in football.
“It’s important for us to know where we came from. Many Brazilians actually don’t know their ancestry, our heritage. But I’m happy, we are from Cameroon too.” – Vini Jr
About the Tikari People
The Tikar people are an ethnic group inhabiting the western highlands of Cameroon, primarily in the Northwest Region. They are part of a larger group known as the Grassfields Bantu, a diverse collection of related ethnic groups in the region. The Tikar are not a single unified group, but rather a collection of subgroups or clans, each with its own distinct identity, history, and sometimes even language variations. These subgroups often share cultural similarities but maintain individual autonomy.
Key characteristics of the Tikar people often include:
• Agriculture: They are primarily agriculturalists, cultivating crops like bananas, yams, and other staple foods. • Social Structure: Traditional Tikar society is often hierarchical, with chiefs and elders playing important roles in governance and decision-making. This can vary significantly between the different subgroups. • Art and Crafts: The Tikar are known for their sophisticated art forms, including wood carving, ironwork, and weaving. Their sculptures and masks are particularly renowned. • Oral Traditions: Like many other African groups, oral traditions play a vital role in preserving their history, beliefs, and cultural practices. • Diverse Languages: While sharing a common linguistic ancestry, different Tikar subgroups speak distinct languages or dialects.
