Back to our roots: Kylian Mbappé travels to Cameroon

Back to our roots: Kylian Mbappé travels to Cameroon

« A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. »

Marcus Garvey

Who am I? What is my identity? Why do I function the way I do? Just as a tree draws its nutrients from the roots of the soil. We forge our identity through our family roots.Knowing your history, your past, your ancestors is an important journey to make in your life. A return to our family roots allows us to learn more about ourselves, to build ourselves more serenely and to find our bearings in life.

In July 2023, French national team and Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé made a 3-day trip to Cameroon. As you know, Kylian is French of Cameroonian descent on his father’s side and Algerian on his mother’s side.

During this memorable trip, he reconnected with his father’s paternal roots. The trip was a salutary one, as it enabled him to discover his father’s village and at the same time devote himself fully to his charitable work.

Lovingly welcomed to the country on his arrival, he met with local personalities and officials. Very involved in projects to help children in Cameroon, he visited a school for deaf and hearing-impaired children that his Inspired by KM foundation is funding. He also took the opportunity to see the progress of renovation work on a nursery and primary school in Douala, Cameroon, which he financed with his association. A talented player and a man with a big heart, Kylian Mbappé has no hesitation in coming to the aid of others.

Afterwards, he played a game of basketball with Joakim Noah, the son of former tennis player Yannick Noah and former NBA basketball player. During his incredible stay, he stayed at Yannick Noah’s hotel complex.

On the last day of his visit to Cameroon, he had the chance to visit his father’s village of Djébalé by boat and discover his father’s story. He wore the traditional dress of his ancestors with elegance and pride. The Djébalé are members of the Sawa ethnic group, named after the “water people” of coastal Cameroon. It was a moving journey, full of emotion.

At a press conference, he explained that, should he become a father, his son would be free to choose between France and Cameroon as regards his sporting nationality. His son would be free to choose between France and Cameroon as regards his sporting nationality.

He explains:

« You have to look at his attachment to the country, whether he’s closer to Cameroon or France. I was born in France, my origins are Cameroonian. But I’ve spent my whole life in France. That’s why I chose France. But my son will be different. Maybe I’ll be living in Cameroon and he’ll have a stronger attachment to Cameroon, so he’ll choose Cameroon. Or we’ll be in France and he’ll choose France. But that’s a choice he’ll make….. It’s a personal choice..”

Kylian Mbappé was welcomed like a head of state in Cameroon. Afrcoculture.net can’t wait to see him in Algeria too, as he sets off to discover his maternal roots. His mum has said that this trip is in the pipeline.

In short, knowing where we come from and the history of our paternal or maternal family has an impact not only on us but also on our children and future generations.

“Nourish yourself with your roots and take charge of your future.

Quote from the Afroculture.net website

That’s how we started writing and creating the Afroculture.net blog. The founder needed to know her history, her culture as a whole, so that she could steer herself better in life. And that was salutary.

So dear readers, don’t hesitate at some point in your life to return to your roots when you’re ready.