FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Study Traces Strong Ghanaian Ancestral Roots in The Bahamas

Nassau, The Bahamas, 22nd October 2025 A groundbreaking study published in the International Journal of Bahamian Studies reveals that the genetic and cultural legacy of The Bahamas is deeply tied to Ghana, particularly the Akan people of the Gold Coast.

The research, led by Dr. Tanya M. Simms of the University of The Bahamas and Dr. Michael Pateman of the Bahamas Maritime Museum, analyzed DNA samples from 160 Bahamians to uncover the ancestral origins of the population. Working in partnership with FamilyTreeDNA, the team identified genetic markers, including Y-haplogroups E-U175 and E-L485, and mitochondrial haplogroups L2a and L3e, which are strongly associated with the Akan ethnolinguistic group of Ghana. These findings align with historical records that document the earliest slave ships arriving in The Bahamas from the Gold Coast during the eighteenth century.

research participants and researchers are at tables in The Mall at Marathon. Dr. Tanya Simms stands to collect a mouth swab DNA sample from a participant toward the left of the image. other researchers collect information from the participants.
Researchers collect DNA and information from participants at The Mall at Marathon. Photo by Carlton Watson

The project also brings together an international team of researchers, including Dr. Miguel Vilar of the University of Maryland, Dr. Aram Yardumian of Byrn Athyn College, and Ms. Fernanda Breckenfeld-Ferrarini, a graduate student from the University of Maryland. The team has also worked closely with FamilyTreeDNA, joined by Mr. Göran Runfeldt, Head of Research and Development. In addition, Ms. Breckenfeld-Ferrarini is conducting a related study that explores the relationship between ancestry markers and malarial resistance markers, which originated in ancient African populations. This research aims to determine whether markers that were selected in malarial environments are still present in the Bahamian population today.

FamilyTreeDNA’s platform has played an important role in this project beyond laboratory analysis. Participants are given the option to receive an ancestry report through FamilyTreeDNA, which allows them to explore their genetic heritage in detail. They may also choose to take part in family matching, a feature that connects them with other Bahamians both locally and abroad, helping to rebuild family networks disrupted by the history of enslavement and migration.

The genetic evidence uncovered in the current study is reinforced by cultural traditions that continue to shape Bahamian identity. Oral histories, folklore such as Anancy the spider, and the nation’s premier cultural festival, Junkanoo, highlight enduring Ghanaian connections. The later of these, Junkanoo is believed to have originated with Ahanta warriors loyal to the leader Jan Kwaw (John Canoe), who resisted European colonization on the Gold Coast. The festival’s masquerade traditions, drumming, and vibrant costumes mirror practices still seen in Ghana today.

Platinum Knights Junkanoo Group during 2024 New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade in Grand Bahama photo Michael Pateman

According to Dr. Pateman “Our findings demonstrate that Bahamians are not only culturally but also genetically tied to Ghana. This underscores the enduring legacy of African heritage in shaping Bahamian identity.”

In August 2025, the research team expanded their work by sampling 45 people on Cat Island. This island was chosen as the next in the series given that it was one of the more populated islands during the slave trade. In addition, individuals in Cat Island tend to migrate less than those in the more populated islands, thus, it is a community that will retain its cultural richness and genetic diversity. Looking ahead, the team will travel to Ghana in December 2025 to sample 200 individuals from Princess Town and Accra, enabling direct comparison between the Bahamian and Ghanaian populations.

PI Dr. Tanya Simms sampling a Cat Island Resident for DNA – Photo by Michael P. Pateman

Dr. Simms added “By expanding our research to Cat Island, Bahamas and the Western Region of Ghana, we are building bridges between the two communities separated by the Middle Passage. Thus, this work is about reconnecting families, identities, and histories across the Atlantic.”

The long-term goal of the project is to sample populations from each island in The Bahamas, providing the first comprehensive genetic map of the archipelago. This will allow researchers to identify whether genetic differences exist between islands, shedding new light on migration, settlement, and cultural variation within The Bahamas itself.

This study represents a critical step in reconnecting The Bahamas with its African roots and contributes to broader global conversations about memory, identity, and the African Diaspora.

The full study, “Culture and Genetics: Ghanaian Genetic Imprints in Contemporary Bahamians?”, is available in Volume 31 (2025) of the International Journal of Bahamian Studies. https://journals.sfu.ca/cob/index.php/files

For more information on this study, contact:
Michael P. Pateman, PhD
Bahamas Maritime Museum
mpateman@allenexploration.com/242-441-2396

If you would like to share your work here on Science and Perspective, reach out to me, Dr. Ancilleno Davis
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