Well known Guyanese-British literary critic, linguist, poet and anthropologist, Dr Ivan van Sertima, died recently, according to a release from the Guyana Cultural Association New York Inc/Guyana Folk Festival which expressed condolences to his family.
Ivan van Sertima
According to the release Dr van Sertima was born in January 1935 in Kitty when the country was still a British colony and remained a British citizen. After completing his primary and secondary schooling in Guyana, he travelled to London and went to university. In addition to producing an array of creative writing, van Sertima also completed undergraduate studies in African languages and literature and during his studies he became fluent in Swahili and Hungarian. He also worked for several years in Great Britain as a journalist, doing weekly broadcasts to the Caribbean and Africa.
He later immigrated to the US where he entered the University of Rutgers in New Brunswick, New Jersey for graduate work and he has had over 30 years of teaching at the university where he also completed his Master’s degree.
He was an associate professor of African Studies in the Department of African Studies.
Any interrested in more information about Dr. Van Sertima go to his website: http://www.journalofafricancivilizations.com/
Peace
My condolences to the Van Sertima famly. I knew Dr. Van Sertima only by name and a few of his achievements. I am very disappointed that the Guyana papers cannot SHARE more information about the life of this brillant son of our soil.
Guess if I need to know more I have to GOOGLE.
My friend (murdered years ago in Jamaica) Cliff Lashley spoke glowingly of VanSertima and through him I became familiar with his book. Another outstanding product of the Caribbean.
Rest well Ian in the land of Icent Akebulan. Rest well my fellow devoted Guyanese.
“Keep it “LIT”
dat is d Pinnacle fyahhhhhhhhhhkey
empress the word is alkebulan, not akebulan and if you want to know how i know is because i have a tshirt with the name on it.
Dr. Van Sertima……………. exemplary character. The epitome of integrity, honesty and humility; coupled with the resourcefulness to extricate truth from falsehood about African civilization. A true “hall of famer” the world over; of the ilk of Diop,; Rogers and presently Obama. I am proud. Condolences to the family. All Africans have lost and invaluable soldier.
Terrence Thornhill
Guyana
I thank you Mr. Van Sertima for the education you gave me about my African ancestors. I first watched your videos about Africa and the ancient Egyptians at the age of 20, u gave the world the news that African people had a time of glory which was far different from the teachings our oppressors give my people today through the use of miseducation. Your work wasn’t widely accepted by the European scholars but i want u to know that you’ve been heard and u influenced my life greatly and there are others just like me that are proud of bring who we are. rise again
Stabroek news could of made a whole newspapers of just the works of this great mans life, and the government should label him as an important cultural icon…this one mans work is just outstanding…im sure people would like to hear great things about themselves especially the oppressed!
He was erroneous on many of his claims, but overall, I don’t believe he was a bad person. May he rest in peace.
I am greatly intersted in your problems with Dr Van Sertimas academic scholarship. Would you give oposing arguments,web sites and or articles. If you can and have the time can you be specific in content. Thanks
He inspired me to read my first book cover to cover. They came before Columbus has helped challenge the racist teachings that I was brought up with. We have all lost someone great.
My condolences goes out to his family, This is a great loss for our country.