Connecting with ancestry beyond bloodlines: ancestors of land, tradition and lineage

Exploring Ancestral Connections Beyond Bloodlines: Land, Tradition, and Lineage Ancestors

I am writing this just after Samhain, one of the eight celebration days in the Celtic wheel of the year. As well as marking the end of the harvest and the transition to the darker months, Samhain has become a space to connect with and honour our ancestors.

The idea of honouring ancestry can feel complicated to many of us. From struggles within our blood and family relationships to not being able to trace ancestral lines, ancestry is not easily accessible to everyone. For people from a diaspora background, ancestors may feel distant due to their connection with lands other than the lands you live on.

We assume that ancestry means bloodlines only and this can lead us to reject the idea of exploring and honouring our ancestors, because it feels complicated and painful to do so. Our blood ancestors are not the only ancestors we can connect with and honour though and today I want to share some reflections about exploring ancestry from a non-bloodline perspective.

Ancestors of land: when I say that the land is my ancestor, that is a scientific statement

What do we mean when we say the land is our ancestor? Patty Krawec, an Anishinaabe and Ukrainian writer and activist: writes:

“When I say that the land is my ancestor, that is a scientific statement: I want to reflect again on this claim by Dr. Keolu Fox, a Kānaka Maoli anthropologist and genomic researcher. The land itself and the conditions of that land, like altitude and climate, impact our genome just as our human ancestors do. We are born on it, die on it; we come from it and return to it. The land and the waters, oceans and rivers, are part of us, relatives and ancestors in a very real way.”

I really connect with this idea, while also appreciating that being able to do so is a privilege that comes with being white, with the means to trace my ancestry back hundreds of years. My surname isn’t that common and someone who shares it happens to be a genealogist who has traced all branches of my family tree back to the 1700s. My ancestors have always lived on the lands of England, Ireland and Wales and I feel a strong connection to them.

When connection to land feels complicated or absent

That’s not the case for everyone. When I speak to UK born friends with ancestral roots from cultures and countries outside of the UK, many of them tell me that their connection to land feels complicated or completely absent. If you’re from a diaspora background, you may feel disconnected from the lands of your ancestors, and your ties to the land you live on might be layered with the impact of migration, colonisation and violence.

One example of this is Nova, who I photographed for my WILD project. Nova was born in the UK and her ancestral roots stretch across Jamaica, Nigeria, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. When we talked about connection to land, Nova told me that she feels most strongly connected to land on the African continent, as it holds the essence of her indigeneity, extending through generations. Nova also feels a strong connection to Jamaica, where more recent generations of her ancestral line have lived. Unsurprisingly, Nova’s connection to Jamaica is impacted by the traumatic legacies of slavery and colonisation.

So how can we forge a new, meaningful connection with the land we call home? Firstly, it feels important to say that violence is perpetrated by the occupiers of land not by the land itself. If we think of the land as a physical entity, it’s not just an inanimate backdrop to our lives. It influences us in profound ways, shaping not only our environment but also our very being. The land, the waters, oceans, rivers, and the ecosystems that thrive upon it all impact us and our lives.

How to deepen your connection to the land as an ancestor:

Here are some suggestions for ways you might deepen your connection to the land as an ancestor:

1. Connecting with the natural world: Take time to explore the natural surroundings of the land you live on. Go for nature walks in local parks and woodlands and really take time to connect with the land. You can do this through mindful observation by paying attention to the details of the environment. Study the plants, wildlife, and connect with the cycles of nature and changes in seasons. Being intentional about connecting with the land can help you to foster a deep appreciation for its beauty and diversity.

2. Cultivate the land: Consider starting a garden or tending to the land in a way that allows you to participate in its care and growth. Planting flowers, trees, or vegetables can create a strong connection with the earth. Working with the soil and witnessing the fruits of your labor can be a profoundly rewarding experience that strengthens your bond with the land. If you don’t have access to outside space you could volunteer with a permaculture or community gardening group.

3. Make an offering to the land: Choose a suitable location like a garden, a park, or another significant spot. Your offering could include food, flowers, water, herbs, incense, or a prayer. Before making your offering, reflect on your intentions and express gratitude for the land's sustenance and connection. Place the offering in your chosen spot while reflecting on your bond with the earth. Make sure that your offering causes no harm to the environment. Biodegradable offerings will naturally decompose, while non-biodegradable items should be collected and taken away with you. Making offerings can become a regular practice to maintain and deepen your connection with the land. Always be mindful of local customs and environmental considerations when making offerings.

Ancestors of tradition and lineage: honouring customs, practices and our teachers

Another example of non-bloodline ancestors are ancestors of tradition. This can include those who have walked a similar path as we do, inspiring us in our journey; teachers, mentors, authors that have inspired us, those who hand down traditions in our communities, change makers from the past who have fought for our rights today. A friend shared a beautiful example of this recently; they’re LGBTQIA+ and they express gratitude for the LGBTQIA+ people who came before them, as ancestors of tradition, as they have directly impacted their rights today.

Ancestors of tradition can include anyone who has guided us on our path and offered wisdom that continues to resonate in our lives. In this I include spiritual teachers, yoga teachers, meditation teachers, academic teachers and also peers who have offered reflections and support that have helped me to grow. In times of turmoil, ancestors of tradition offer comfort, reminding us of their enduring efforts and the significance of the fight for change.

We can also find comfort in the traditions themselves. Observing the traditions of our faith, spirituality or communities through ritual links us to the whole of history and helps us to find meaning in our lives. Ancestors of tradition remind us that we are inherently connected through all of time and history. By honouring these traditions and passing them on, we become ancestors of tradition ourselves.

You can honour your ancestors of tradition by keeping their traditions, practices and stories alive. Each time you connect with this idea, you can express gratitude for those who came before you.

Our ancestors include the earth beneath our feet, the communities that shape us, and the traditions that inspire us.

Recognising ancestors beyond our bloodline can support us to bring meaning and connection into our lives. The earth beneath our feet, the communities that shape us, and the traditions that inspire us all impact and change us in a multitude of ways. By honouring these lineages, we deepen our sense of belonging, our connection to self and we have an opportunity to express our gratitude for the interconnected web of existence that sustains us.

If you’d like to explore your connection to ancestry through ritual, I’d love to support you. Get in touch here if you’d like to work with me. You can also check out upcoming events here.