Home / Crime and Justice / Descendant of Slave Ship Survivor Gains Benin Citizenship
Descendant of Slave Ship Survivor Gains Benin Citizenship
9 Jul
Summary
- Cassandra Lewis, descendant of Cudjo Lewis, received citizenship from Benin.
- Benin enacted a law in September 2024 for descendants' right of return.
- Lewis aims to trace roots and learn about African heritage.
Cassandra Lewis, a direct descendant of Cudjo Lewis, a survivor of the last known slave ship Clotilda, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first descendant of the ship's captives to receive citizenship from Benin.
This momentous event occurred after Benin passed landmark legislation in September 2024, establishing a right of return for descendants of Africans taken during the transatlantic slave trade. Lewis's journey was deeply personal, fueled by stories passed down from her father, who spent his early childhood with Cudjo Lewis.
Lewis formally accepted her Beninese citizenship on May 22nd, marking a profound connection to her ancestral homeland. She submitted genealogical records and DNA results to prove her lineage, a testament to the enduring legacy of those who endured the transatlantic journey.
Her newfound citizenship allows her to explore her African roots and connect with the culture that slavery attempted to erase. Lewis intends to share her experience at Africatown's annual festival, highlighting the ongoing reclamation of history and identity by descendants of the Clotilda's captives.
