Sunday, November 4, 2012
Sapelo Island, GA
My family does not have ancestral land. My grandparents have lived on their property since before they had my mother and two uncles but I do no see anyone else in my family moving in there once my grandparents pass on. My immediate family and I have moved 5 times now and I have moved twice in addition. I do not think land has been important enough to pass down land from generation to generation because everyone is more focused on their situation. Moving to an area they prefer or closer to work or more room for a larger family. I think this kind of mentality creates much more separation in the family than those who show much more importance to ancestral land. I think that the land means everything to the people of Sapelo Island. With their ancestors being forced to Sapelo Island to be slaves there is a lot of history on that land. Slavery was ended and they were able to work the same land but to their own means. The land game them everything they needed to survive and it was theirs to call their own. The whole family participated with working the land and it was handed down from generation to generation. Even moving from one part of the island to the other was upsetting for Cornelia Walker's family. The land on Sapelo Island is like an identity for its people. It represents a difficult history that was overcome. To give up the land would be giving up a piece of themselves. The more I think about it the more I would like to be a part of something so meaningful. The way my family works it wouldn't matter much where I lived which kind of creates a daunting feeling. Those on Sapelo Island have a sense of belonging.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
My adoptive family on both sides moved around alot, even when they had my brother. When i was adopted they decided to stay put. I was adopted when I was almost two. They will never leave their home and plan to pass it on to me and my brother. I can relate to everyone being "focused on their own situation". I dislike moving myself, but had to several times with my children.great post Lynn!
ReplyDelete