Achukwunet and I have always been curious as to the paths our ancestors may have taken. As far as we were told, we only had roots in Delta and Anambra. We both knew, however, that it was an incomplete portrait of ourselves as we it's impossible for our ancestors to be of Anambra and/or Delta heritage solely.

I was aware of DNA and genealogical testing were done by various organizations, but wasn't sure as to which would be the must reliable or reputable. Fortuantely, Achukwunet heard about The Genographic Project, a DNA/genetics research project that uses "cutting-edge genetic and computational technologies to analyze historical patterns in DNA from participants around the world to better understand our human genetic roots", in her Physical Anthropology class last year. The National Geographic Society is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and one of the most established and largest scientific institutions in the world, so we chose to be a part of their project.

From the about page:

With a simple and painless cheek swab, you submit a sample of your DNA to our lab. We then run a comprehensive analysis to identify thousands of genetic markers on your mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down each generation from mother to child, to reveal your direct maternal deep ancestry. In the case of men, we will also examine markers on the Y chromosome, which is passed down from father to son, to reveal your direct paternal deep ancestry. In addition, for all participants, we analyze a collection of more than 130,000 other ancestry-informative markers from across your entire genome to reveal the regional affiliations of your ancestry, offering insights into your ancestors who are not on a direct maternal or paternal line.

We asked our parents if either of them would be willing to give a DNA for the project. Our mother was willing, so we purchased the project kit, which we received a few days later. We took two swabs from her mouth (one for testing, and a backup in case the first sample spoiled) and sent the samples to National Geographic. We got a confirmation email, saying that results would be ready in 6-8 weeks. They sent emails periodically as to how much progress had been made and what was left. Today, we finally received a completion email, as well as our mom's results!

According to National Geographic, "the results give you an unprecedented view of your lineage. You will discover the migration paths your ancient ancestors followed thousands of years ago, and learn the details of your ancestral makeup—your branches on the human family tree."

A little on my mother: she was born and raised in Lagos, but is Igbo. Paternally, she's from Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South, Delta state. Her mother hails from Obior, Aniocha North, Delta state.

Results
93% Sub-Saharan African, 6% South African.

"This component of your ancestry is found at highest frequency in the people of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among those speaking Bantu languages such as the Yoruba and Luhya in our reference populations. It likely represents a signal of the original inhabitants of eastern and central Africa, and was spread in part due to the migrations of the Bantu speakers throughout Africa in the past 2,500 years."

Of the numerous reference populations in the project's database, we are closest to the Luhya people of Kenya (89% Sub-Saharan African, 8% South African, 2% Mediterranean, followed by the Yorubas (97% Sub-Saharan African, 3% South African).

We are also 1.4% Neanderthal.
When our human ancestors were first migrating 60,000 years ago, they were not alone. "At that time, at least two other species of hominid cousins walked the Eurasian landmass—Neanderthals and Denisovans." Apparently, humans were able to interbreed with Neanderthals and Denisovans, which is why we, as well as everyone else, have traces of Neanderthal makeup. We are 0.0% Denisovan but the results say that they haven't found the best way to test for it.

Something I learned about this project is that all women who are alive today have the same direct maternal ancestor, and she was born in East Africa (current Northern Ethiopia) 180,000 years ago. She wasn't the only woman alive at the time obviously, but it's only her line, the L line, that have survived till date. Researchers have nicknamed her "Mitochondrial Eve".

Our mother is L3e1e. The L3 branch is a descendant of the L1'2'3'4'5'6 branch, which is a descendant of Mitochondrial Eve. The members of the L3 branch were notorious for migrating, particularly to the north of Africa and even off of the continent. As our mother is L3e1, her ancestors traveled northeast of East Africa and even into the Arabian peninsula. Groups of that branch also traveled south into the sub-Sahara.

The good thing about the project is that the researchers save everything that was sent, as well as the results, so updates, particularly to the Denisovan result, will be made if necessary.

Were the results surprising? Surely! I didn't think Neanderthal would compose up to 1% of our genome. I also never would have guessed that our ancestors went as far as South Africa. Maybe it's not surprising to someone who has studied anthropology extensively, but it was a surprise to us. It was also interesting to find that our results were closer to Kenyans than to fellow Nigerians. We will monitor the results for any updates. I suppose our new project is convincing our dad to partake lol.

The Genographic Project 2.0 Beta

Very interesting. I may do something like this in the future.

So worth it.

Here's a pic if anyone is interested.

You guys are 6% South African? Wow! I may be 6% Zimbabwean, who knows.

Forget.. Ayam 100% African. EOD.

Damn that kit ain't cheap! And only used once? Tsk tsk tsk.

Yeah, Yeah. Albert Einstein's theory of relativity re-emphasizes that We are all descendants of one mother - Mama Africa - including Caucasians and so on. It is only Geographical location and politicians that separates us all. In fact, this is what computer programmers use in developing algorithm. We are working on one for a Romantic African language writing system that would lead to an operating system developed in that language - this will in turn preserve local cultures and languages in this ever evolving digital age.

CFCfan: You guys are 6% South African? Wow! I may be 6% Zimbabwean, who knows.

@op very interesting !!

Quite an interesting research.
This will still prove some points that we all emanated one parent Adam and Eve.
No doubt.

Lilimax: Quite an interesting research.
This will still prove some points that we all emanated one parent Adam and Eve.
No doubt.

Oh Yeah. There is a spiritual dimension to all. Na there GOD pass man .

Lord_Reed: Damn that kit ain't cheap! And only used once? Tsk tsk tsk.

Only used once for a life time of reassurance

achukwunet:

Only used once for a life time of reassurance

Well I do hope at some point it'll be less expensive. Unless its critical I don't see many folks this way shelling out $200(N32k) just to know.

Ogugua you and your sister must have had a lot of money to blow that was why you guys did the Ancestry stuff. When African-Americans that do it have about 70% African what then will you and your sister 100% Africans be expecting

babe_online: Ogugua you and your sister must have had a lot of money to blow that was why you guys did the Ancestry stuff. When African-Americans that do it have about 70% African what then will you and your sister 100% Africans be expecting

Well, we both work and funded this ourselves.We felt like participating in the project and did. We got unexpected answers and now have a story to tell our kids. We don't regret it one bit. It was our choice.

ogugua88:

Well, we both work and funded this ourselves.We felt like participating in the project and did. We got unexpected answers and now have a story to tell our kids. We don't regret it one bit. It was our choice.

I so wanna do this because i've always wondered about my ancestry on that level. I can only guess..i agree with your reasons for doing it also

ogugua88:

Well, we both work and funded this ourselves.We felt like participating in the project and did. We got unexpected answers and now have a story to tell our kids. We don't regret it one bit. It was our choice.

okay it is good you guys participated...and I dont expect you guys to regret it at all. By the way the SA ancestry is so funny...lol

Point of correction folks. There is nothing like 'sub-sahara african', we only have: North, South, East and West Africa. Stop the misconception.

Olodostein: Point of correction folks. There is nothing like 'sub-sahara african', we only have: North, South, East and West Africa. Stop the misconception.

there is sub-Saharan Africa/n.

babe_online:
there is sub-Saharan Africa/n.

No. It was a social construct .

Olodostein:

No. It was a social construct .

Even the north, south and so on Africa you mentioned are social/political constructs. The sub-saharan reference is very valid as there is a marked difference between the those who live to the north of that region and those to the south even genetically.

Lord_Reed:

Even the north, south and so on Africa you mentioned are social/political constructs. The sub-saharan reference is very valid as there is a marked difference between the those who live to the north of that region and those to the south even genetically.

North, South, East, West is Mother Nature's doing. Thee statement Marked in Black is Balooney . PEACE Fella

Olodostein:

North, South, East, West is Mother Nature's doing. Thee statement Marked in Black is Baloney . PEACE Fella

You are so ignorant it begs the question.

Lord_Reed:

You are so ignorant it begs the question.

Thank You 'mr lord reed' . Jah Bless . PEACE Fella .

Good stuff....

Very interesting. I'll probably do this as well.

6% south African ? Wow !

Imagine if I do this and the results come out as 94% sub-saharan 2% Spanish, 2% Mexican and 2% Australian . Kai, mehhhnn I'll be forming mixed race.

this simply shows that Igbos are Bantu.
as I have already said on this forum .

$199.95 ?!?!?

Walahi!!! I for like run this mata ooo.... But $200?? Ha!! Its too expensive oo.....I would rather buy alcohol for the likes of 190,Nadia,Yuzedo,Sexkills and AbPatrick ooo

All I gained from reading this thread is that Ogugua: 1) Is Deltish
2) Has a sis whose been on NL since 2011. Or even earlier sef.
And I only got to know today.

Do your fathers own too, so we can get the full picture.