Al Roker Goes To Senegal To Trace His Ancestral Roots | TODAY

A DNA test enabled TODAY’s Al Roker to trace his family’s roots. The findings lead Al to Senegal, the westernmost point in mainland Africa, where he sees the world his ancestors left behind. (By TODAY with our sponsor Ancestry)
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Al Roker Goes To Senegal To Trace His Ancestral Roots | TODAY

[@iwujifamilyvlogs7738]

Went to Nigeria with my Husband 2 years ago and nothing has completed me more than that trip. As an African American you will come back to America different. The feeling is unexplainable. Being in a land that is foreign to you yet fills your soul. Please visit West Africa. 👊🏾🙌🏾💕

[@smoothoperator9845]

As a Nigerian, I can relate to your spiritual connection to Nigeria and the African Continent. One Love - Africa Unite!

[@tyronemontgomery8054]

You're so right I visit 3 different times and you do feel so different when you come back to the USA

[@samsdns1]

I want to go. Took ancestry and I am 45% Nigerian. I believe that is a large amount.

[@amihnonso9414]

Shannon Harris you will be highly welcome to mother land ❤️❤️❤️

[@NYtalk60]

Made me cry. I traveled to Senegal 6 times before I had my DNA info that said I had ancestors from there. It is a wonderful place. Please go back. You've only touched a small part of a beautiful country!

[@ghettoyouthkatakyni7843]

NYtalk60 what you came 6 times

[@NYtalk60]

My in laws live there.

[@SuperTruthful]

I did the same with Ghana to find out that the 2nd highest percentage comes from there. I think spirit lead us back home.

[@ghettoyouthkatakyni7843]

SuperTruthful you better Africa is rising And even we in the continent see it

[@julesba9552]

NYtalk60 thank you so much

[@loboblanco903]

Senegalese are my favourite african brothers ! They are such respectable people. Greetings from Morocco

[@jinnjahlo1666]

Senegal and Morocco are brothers,people forget about history!!!but we always been here for each other Morocco le pays frere

[@tfkdandsvkc]

i love senegal too great people

[@jinnjahlo1666]

cole thanks!!!

[@awambengue2820]

We Love u too 🇸🇳🧕🏾

[@jinnjahlo1666]

@fifikhalifa barry 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Freefanny12]

Love it !! So proud of my country Senegal 🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳 welcome home Al rocker ❤️❤️

[@gilfernando7623]

Senegal is not your country. You don't look like somebody from there.

[@juanacastillo1772]

Gil Fernando. Just bec she don't look like it to u, it does not mean she is not from Senegal hater

[@jamalaliou]

@@gilfernando7623 if u came to Senegal u wd see by yaself there are peaople even lighter than her that are feom there 😉😉

[@user-fl8ng9np7v]

@@gilfernando7623 so how do people from Senegal look like then?

[@javielalvarez5459]

I got Senegalese in me also

[@cooksmary]

This made me cry. Beautiful people in Senegal. Congrats Al.

[@Renegade-zr3is]

@Fock Religion that's exactly what I said!! Great minds think alike 😉😝

[@Insulindependantfati]

I'm Gambian (Senegal's sister country). This is an awesome piece!

[@koolbass511]

I'm originally from Haiti, and a visit to Africa is one in my bucket list.

[@Beetwate305]

your most likely from Nigeria

[@Whynot356]

TommySotomayor's Momma I would say Benin, Dahomey. Koolbass probably has Caribe blood too( native Indian from the Caribbean)

[@christianstephanesembecoly2232]

@Golden Tiffen Welcome home :-)

[@316JOHNLT]

Africa is continent not a country!

[@caro8712]

Welcome home Al, you do have the Senegalese dry humor ! Senegal 🇸🇳 shows on your face. Welcome home brother , Africa is as much yours as it is ours.

[@nanettewhite8269]

God bless you.

[@uptownflavor]

This brought me to tears...your ancestors are proud of you for returning to your land after being stolen away. Oh.my.God! That is just beautiful!

[@Eniola0ne]

When you see deep in Al Roker face you can see Senegalese in him, he look Senegalese

[@senegalaise2251]

Yes he does.

[@diopmande8616]

You are right. We don't need DNA test to affirm that.

[@niangmedoune7962]

yes u juste look a like senegalese bienvenue chez toi

[@kaniiguitv4180]

Yes peulh specially

[@jamalaliou]

Eniola, you are right. Im from there 🇸🇳🇸🇳i can tell

[@Aoudhubillahi]

The Senegalese are a beautiful people. Such a marvelous thing that God returned you there. A beautiful reconciliation, Al Roker, and my congrats and salaams to you.

[@mary18203]

Happy to know that you are from Senegal and from the serere tribe like my mother.

[@ghettoyouthkatakyni7843]

MaryYehosef bro sereer are hebrews I am not sereer but I know this

[@amartamberou]

MaryYehosef nafio mekhé mèn lol

[@mametinesene]

MaryYehosef oh how nice I'm serere too

[@ndiayek]

@@ghettoyouthkatakyni7843 you're delusional

[@soniapinkney1342]

When i visited Italy ..many Senegalese live there....they are very Black and Beautiful... they were very kind and called me Sister....i felt so watered down...🌷🌷

[@justmyopinion9883]

I am so happy for Al. Senegal looks like a beautiful country. I can see the resemblance between Al and the Senegalese people.

[@SantNabi]

Even though we are from Dakar this statute makes us emotional every time we visit. It makes you reflect on how much our continent has lost throughout the centuries.

[@resilience4lyfe331]

ButterBean like me.., but I’ll be back

[@FikiNom]

Made me tear up. Good tears, especially when they were consulting his ancestors. You are a son of the soil Al. Welcome home

[@mogarba1463]

You better be supporting Senegal at the World Cup this year!

[@arresteddevelopment2158]

Muhammed Garba they're out

[@mogarba1463]

EagerBeaver2218 I know man, I’m crying rn 😭

[@petittall557]

Yeah next time we'll do better. The fair play ruled out of our favor.

[@hatfar1]

That Monument Was Awesome!

[@sheky3138]

That was like 7 years ago

[@naponroy]

I've been there, It wasd built by North Koreans, you can see it in the style.

[@oumarsow515]

Doesn't matter which part of Africa you're from what matters is to be conscious that you're black and no matter what you may believe or try-hard you're African and should be proud of it because we have the most beautiful skin color and veins full of power and energy. Feel African and be merry.

[@sharjjahnaziz4122]

You are not Black. Who told you that ?

[@MattmanKey84]

​@@sharjjahnaziz4122 What's wrong with Black?

[@saintmichael3619]

The serenity, generosity, hospitality , security and the love you will experience in Senegal really makes it a wonderful place to visit frequently.

[@victoriaevans2512]

Beautiful it was great to see the peace on Al's face. The people were so warm and loving. I loved the monument. I hope he goes back and takes his family.

[@FikiNom]

That's so true. He is usually very high strung but he was so mellow and almost seemed to me that he became one with the people

[@mary18203]

Sereres are among the first inhabitants of the costal region from Mauritania to Senegal. I admire them, they are people of traditions. Faithful and strong.

[@Mike-iw4on]

MaryYehosef im serere thx for the love. You are welcome here

[@lodebardebir9925]

Do they live in L'arguin?

[@florencedebear1576]

My DNA says I'm from Senegal as well. It's really good to know.

[@seyidialiouneba9894]

You're welcome to Senegal

[@abifanny]

Please go and visit.you won't regretir

[@diapoulodia2329]

We will be so happy to welcome you there

[@awambengue2820]

Welcome to the Teranga🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳

[@TimothyZakaria]

​@diapoulodia2329 Africa was a place I was able to travel to. Egypt still looks like Africa it's also has a Mediterranean feel to it but I study history and I'm finding out that a lot of our technology comes from the Eastern world. Like Japan, Korea and Australia. I didn't know that my family moved to South Africa which has a lot of oceans. The way people migrated back then is interesting because the earliest plane is only 100 plus years old

[@parixo]

my dad is from senegal and i’m going this summer, i’m gonna meet my sister and other family members in person for the first time ever :)))

[@Hollis_has_questions]

this was WAY cool. it brought tears to my eyes. my ancestors weren't ripped from Africa. they barely escaped Russia with their lives, running from persecution, pogroms, and Cossacks. i daren't go back to the bad memories of disappeared Anatevkas. i'll just watch Fiddler on the Roof again, thank you.

[@PinkHawk191]

Hollis Evon Ramsey My family is Eastern European as well. Some of my family survived and some didn’t. I am proud of my Eastern European Jewish family! My family are survivors!

[@amberflame5656]

Thank Goodness for modern science! I got my Results 80% West African( includes senegal) 17% Europe 03% Centeral American

[@PrettyGurl12361]

I am 75..5% African 22% European and 2% Native American.

[@understandingthescripture2907]

Amber Flame im Waiting for mine to get back in 3 weeks.

[@vrjanice2]

@lemmieatit I think a high percentage is not a indicator of when your family arrived here. In addition 80% is the median range number . My family is Gullah-Geechi from the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina. I've traced ancestors to the early 1770s. Basically the people were isolated and marooned on those islands. I have cousins who have 96% DNA admixture.

[@sophiefaye1276]

Welcome home dear. I wish I had the opportunity to see you during your visit.

[@Femi925]

This is Awesome. I think all black people that live outside Africa and have never been need to take the trip.

[@resilience4lyfe331]

Femi925 needs to be included in the reparations package

[@Suite_annamite]

There are lots of people from other parts of the world who live in Senegal, which is why that classroom was multi-ethnic... *I'm of Vietnamese background, and there are some Vietnamese I know from Senegal, the connection being that both Senegal and Vietnam are former French colonies.*

[@petittall557]

I know a lot of Vietnamese, Lebanese and so on. We're a multicultural nation.

[@PHlophe]

lots of Viet congs in mainland france also. especially in paris

[@gidgethrobowski3860]

Le Huy-Anh Cool...Senegal & Vietnam together.

[@resilience4lyfe331]

Le Huy-Anh explains it!

[@ihimaninge8905]

@@petittall557 No, Senegal is not a multi-cultural nation! That class had children who aren't Senegalese because they are most probably the kids of foreign countries' representatives in Senegal. It does most definitely not reflect the average private school classroom and thus less the public school classroom!

[@bayedemba9271]

Wow this is amazing. Thank you so much for visiting and sharing the unknown history of our beloved Senegal 🇸🇳❤️

[@mizzobjectiveone3819]

My roots are in Senegal too, Al! I've learned that we have the best food too!

[@caro8712]

Kihindei Adai we do!

[@nkeveo6967]

Ghana might challenge you on that claim & Nigeria, but I won't. I say Africa has some of the best food 😊

[@Insulindependantfati]

Gambian versions of the dishes are better (in my opinion)

[@barabebe]

I am Senegalese

[@mn2good4u55]

Barakatou Kone me too

[@IsaiahPMunoz]

Wow, speechless. That was incredible. Much love to senegal 💕.

[@muslima864]

My home country of Senegal. Congratulations Al, been watching you throughout the years on Food Network and now NBC, didn't even you were one of my homeboy.

[@juwe9516]

Bro Al, Thank you for delving into your African heritage. You're warm and courteous to your people back.You moved me with your southern accent and delighted not to sway being an African man.Welcome home.

[@moussacisse3616]

I cry when i see my country on youtube.I really miss my Senegal with his nice people.

[@victorialadybug1]

There are so many positive things about Africa. This was heartening to watch.

[@jamalaliou]

To those hosts, y'all are welcome to visit anytime. Its for everyone to come see 🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳🇸🇳👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿😉😉

[@jackiefloyd8003]

That was so cool Al. I could tell you felt like you were home at last. Powerful!

[@idefleming5514]

Not sure who is cutting onions but they need to stop. 😭😭😭

[@Mstees1]

Ide Fleming si........I know right !

[@mirandapow2230]

Ide Fleming yesss lol

[@thebridge5483]

Ide Fleming yep no respect making a grown man cry like that

[@chimakalu41]

Ide Fleming lol

[@saabajoe]

Ide Fleming 🤗🤗🤗

[@thelonelygamer2533]

just got my ancestry kit back im 25% Benin/togo 18% Cameroon/congo 17% Senegal 16% Nigeria an 14% Ireland /Scotland/Wales I want to take a trip to Senegal and visit the slave castles once before I leave this earth .

[@vellabella1]

It is a beautiful place, the door of no return is located on an island called Goree

[@PrettyGurl12361]

Saitima-cool. I am 49% Nigerian. I wish I had more Senegal roots(4.9%).

[@Keke-oh6zd]

Saitima Ichiban Are you American or from the Spanish Carribean? I heard from a researcher that it's rare to have that much Senegalese ancestry as an African American and more common In PR, DR, Cuba, Brazil etc. I'm 20% and AA with some Belizean ancestry.

[@SuperTruthful]

go to the slave castle I've been there 3 time. I'm 37% Cameroon/congo, 28 percent Ghana, 6 percent Senegalese and many more.

[@israelmarius454]

Since you have more of Benin/Togo lineage, I will suggest going to Benin first because there is slave castles there as well comparable to the one in Senegal. Togo in the other hand has the biggest slaves prisoners site. The trip from Togo to Benin is less than an hour. I am Togolese.

[@caro8712]

Al Rocket has the Senegalese dry humor , the fun trash talk ! He’s one of us😂.

[@lydian175]

Thank you for sharing Al Roker, I just found out My DNA 🧬 are from Wolof people of Senegal 🇸🇳. The test was done through African Ancestry.com. Can’t wait for my journey home 🇸🇳🌍🧬❤️

[@sendsene8608]

Welcome🇸🇳🇸🇳

[@maramediop9647]

I am too from wolof tribe of senegal ❤.

[@kimberlykimberly8808]

Incredible! Wow, through Ancestry.com, I am Senegalese too!! Great Story!

[@senegalaise2251]

Hello sister I am Happy to know you are Senegalese. 💖💖 I am a sister from Senegal.

[@nayida4ever]

Great!

[@foreverlovesophie]

That tree is so beautiful and what it symbolizes as well ! 🌳

[@crystalroberts5938]

This was a beautiful story. Wish he had a family member there with him just to hug him up. Looked like he needed it

[@sunshinerose2512]

The food there look so good. So healthy.

[@khadyndiaye9370]

sunshine rose it just doesn’t look healthy.The food is fresh and natural

[@jinnjahlo1666]

@@khadyndiaye9370 real talk

[@richarddaniel1350]

Some of all time favorite food from Africa.

[@arresteddevelopment2158]

beautiful story. welcome home.

[@katlinoneill2497]

What an amazing experience I hope he goes back many times to see more of the country.

[@koromosmajuliius1289]

Beautiful country with awesome people !!! Gorée Island was really sad, I cried when I saw those cells !!!! And the door of no return !!!

[@lindavenable9406]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS AWESOME VIDEO. THIS VIDEO ANSWERS A LOT OF QUESTIONS FOR ME, BECAUSE I'VE HEARD LONG AGO, THAT THERE WERE NO SLAVE SHIPS. SO I SAID TO MYSELF, WHERE ARE THE SLAVE SHIPS? NO ONE COULD ANSWER ME. I KIND OF KNEW THAT THERE WAS, BECAUSE MY DAD TOLD TOLD ME WHEN I WAS NINE YEARS OLD. ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU AL ROKER, AMD TODAY NEWS. GOD BLESS YOU😄

[@fd0189123456]

I know it definitely look like a Senegale I am so proud I hope you will come back for more fun ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭

[@Sahelianpirate]

Yeah he looks very senegalese which is kinda rare in the african americans. Most of them look nigerian or congolese to me

[@sordidC]

Because most of us African Americans...him included are descended from more than one west African ethnicity. We. Were. Slaves. We had to have children by each other and that means so any other ethnicities. Why can't people understand this? Smh

[@Sahelianpirate]

sordidC lol chill everybody understands that. That’s why I said that’s it’s rare. And Senegal didn’t have that many people sent to the americas that’s why it’s even surprising to see someone with the typical Senegalese men features

[@diopmande8616]

This is not the right flag

[@sordidC]

@@Sahelianpirate that is false. Senegal may have not had as many sent as say what is now Nigeria but MANY of us black Americans who have roots in Louisiana have dna from what is now Senegal and Senegambia region. nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/maai/freedom/text1/text1read.htm For example: JAMBALAYA is NOT Cajun in origin. It is literally Senegambian slaves and their descendants' version of Jollof rice. You say you lnew the facts I gave you but the truth most continental Africans do not know just like many of those who migrate here don't ever inquire beyond slavery to things like Jim Crow, etc. And then on our side we call continental Africans brothers and sisters and misname them as black like us. It isn't true. It erases centuries of ethnicities from and in Africa. We aren't brothers and sisters with continental Africans. We are cousins. "Black" is an ethnicity here, not in Africa. And so few people on either side understand this.

[@kuselwa6715]

Welcome home! I'm so happy for you, with love from South Africa.

[@sandravega9742]

It's good to know where we come from Our roots You will be surprise😢😀👍👌👍👍👍

[@budjitresvalles6397]

Im proud of your Mr. Roker! Congratulations in finding your roots!

[@martisleister9197]

This is beautiful! I'm so glad you found this piece of yourself ♥️.

[@maslinechachona7500]

Welldone for doing this I’m really proud of you papa 🥰🥰🥰🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼watching from Zimbabwe

[@mamaabeke8492]

I am happy watching this video and at the same time crying like a child. It is very important for people to know their heritage. When you know who you are and were you came from it gives you great feelings inside. It leads you to where you are going and sense of belonging.

[@sinequoinone5121]

C'est vraiment emouvant,bon retour hermano 😍😍😍

[@bebeniang9988]

I miss my country

[@djibrilba853]

Bebe welcome back no place like home

[@klomax7089]

Thank you for sharing Al, this gave me chills and tears. My husband and I did our AncestryDNA last year and would love to experience the West Afrikan countries we are from. You give me hope for that trip! Blessings!

[@richarddaniel1350]

This brought tears to my eyes Al Roker. Good for you brother. The circle is now closed.

[@Njoofene]

He was blessed by a Seereer high priest (known as the saltigi)! Wow! That's awesome!

[@itsbeyondme5560]

So cool

[@theemirofjaffa2266]

Sorry to say but serer religion is all sham.

[@Njoofene]

​@@theemirofjaffa2266 Don't be silly and disrespectful now!

[@theemirofjaffa2266]

@Tam sorry ma'am, but that's the fact, no pun intended. I live around the area, Gambia specifically, and have known serrers my whole life. The ones living in the cities will confirm that to you. Good though, that hes out to quest for his ancestry. We appreciate that, but then that's about it. Nothing serious about these things thingd.,

[@t4981]

This is so touching!

[@humanmind7631]

Senegal looks beautiful - people and the environment seemed vibrant & lively and that monument is magnificient. Thanks for sharing this .

[@25gwolfable]

That was an awesome video thank you very much for sharing that video

[@Mamba0809]

It's great to see Al complete this journey. I love it and now I have more respect for Al than ever before.

[@oliviajohnson133]

This is so awesome 👏🏽

[@franciscobrewster4368]

I am very proud 👏 and happy to see 👀 that you was able to go and learn about about your Ancestors culture in Senegal 🇸🇳 Africa 🌍.

[@hawaba8775]

My beautiful country🇸🇳🇸🇳

[@leam7018]

Welcome my fellow Senegalese brother!!!!

[@selinaantoniagraves5418]

Thanks for sharing.

[@beatricesylvanus6780]

Amazing 👏👏

[@orisalase]

I got chills...

[@selendriamuganogo7077]

He fits in perfect... Puzzle complete 😵

[@PhenoMikal-Onion]

No amount of money can top his/that life experience!! 🙏🏾

[@raghedanan3959]

Very touching

[@lilvoncampbell]

OMGGG THAT WAS AMAZING!!! What a blessing. : )

[@rickchipo4140]

No doubt that his forefathers were from senegal,his face look the same with them.

[@mickeynozewu2634]

get out of my head my thoughts exactly you would think they were brothers with tour guide

[@brendajones4567]

This is just beautiful!!!!

[@kayesisslemczeal4547]

Amazing! Love you Al Roker.

[@anastasiedb512]

Waouh . Très émouvant. 😌

[@PrincessLadyChang]

I am so touched

[@dn30001]

this is so dope

[@blackychan7335]

Where’s my Senegalese brothers at?

[@Safirlady]

this is lovely. They are so similar in look, it's incredible. Who we are et our very identity is etched within us in more than one way. Nice snippet,)!!!

[@LilliLamour]

Wow they look like family

[@RaeSunShine1000]

OMG ... DNA is not a Game his HOST Looks like he could be his Brother or Cousin....I'm so Crying RightNow MyGOD I need to get my DNA Done 4Real...

[@selendriamuganogo7077]

Lilli L'amour I was just about to type this... It made me get emotional

[@LilliLamour]

I just got my results today. I'm Nigerian

[@amartamberou]

Lilli L'amour glad you finally know where you come from

[@LilliLamour]

Amar Tamberou Me too

[@mikhailmaimoonahoward]

I know this is old but I’m just seeing it. I’m so excited I trace my roots back to Senegal also and I’m going for the first time next month. I’ve been to other parts of the beautiful continent of Africa but it means so much to me to know I’m going to a place that I can truly call the home of my ancestors.

[@xenabbclassy]

Why Am i crying?!

[@issasidou8161]

I konw you you feel sister

[@75HuztleMayne]

This is very touching I'm getting emotional I want to know where I come it's deeper then that

[@addie1309]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@striving1]

I gotta go see that beautiful statue!

[@vfiel4111]

How powerful!

[@denisesherman7164]

Wow that was amazing for Al to get the chance to go “home”.

[@neal6805]

This had to be an incredible experience for Al.

[@melissaford717]

Just beautiful! Thank you for sharing Al's story. I feel like when I go to Ireland, I'll feel like Al does. That's exciting. Take care 🙂

[@ambassadorrichardharrisong283]

Hello my name is Richard Harrison Gore'e [ KZbin my name] , I'm the author of the historical novel titled "Gore'e Island / Island of No Return" I really enjoyed the video depiction of your life journey back to the motherland and connecting with your roots! Like you I have traced my roots back to Africa more directly to Gore'e Island. I would love to speak to you Al Roker and share my experience of when I to went to the land of my ancestors.

[@amapparatistkwabena]

Beautiful!

[@justimagine346]

The music is amazing

[@khadijadiagne7251]

Oh I widsh I was there I just got back from senegal 🇸🇳

[@yapadqoi]

It's funny Al's DNA research led him to Senegal because every time I see him on TV I'm like "he reminds me of some familiar faces in Senegal, my country. He really looks like a Senegalese!". I was right!