Although the vast majority of African Americans are unfamiliar with Pushkin’s monumental works, most students of literature are at least aware of his “Blackamoor of Peter the Great,” an unfinished romance which relates the biographical data of the poet’s great-grandfather, Ibrahim Petrovitch Gannibal his black great-grandfather.
Some early critics wrongly suspected that Pushkin attempted to aggrandize the African lineage of this black forebear by playing up the family tradition that he was an Ethiopian princeling. However, Pushkin certainly did not need to embellish his ancestor’s own personal history. For the accomplishments of Ibrahim Petrovitch Gannibal are proof of what any man – despite his colour – could rise to, given the opportunity. Ibrahim was treated as no less than a member of the royal family at court and, in the biographical notes on him written either by his wife or by someone in her family shortly after his death, the following statement is made:
“….he (Peter) wished to make examples of them and put (Russians) to shame by convincing them that out of every people and even from among wild men – such as Negores, whom our civilized nations assign exclusively to the class of slave, there can be formed men who by dint of application can obtain knowledge and learning and thus become helpful to their monarch.” Read more about this Black Russian noble man.
As a African-American male who has visited Russia in 1985 I am glad to see that Pushkin is being acknowledged. For years I have spoken about him and visiiting his home, but alot of people had no knowledge of him. I think we as a people not only give praise to our brothers and sisters in America but around the globe as well. I was so happy to see what they call and Afro-Rusky have a place in Russian history.
Hi Steven, I would be interested to hear where you visited in Russia and what you thought.
I have been to Moscow and to Putin's house which is a museum. We asked an elderly Russian woman there is Pushkin was Black (I wanted to see what she would say) and she immediately answered yes! His mother wa African.
There's actually a bit of a thriving black community in Russia – you guessed it, dominiated by Nigerians (my people, lol). Actually alot of Africans who went to Russia to study during the 60's, 70's and 80's most notably at the People's Friendship University (which has now changed names)
http://www.nigeriancommunity.ru/gtree.html
Another interest fact involves pastor sunday who runs one of THE LARGEST CHURCHES in Europe in Kiev.
http://www.godembassy.org/en/embassy.php
Nice site, by the way
There's actually a bit of a thriving black community in Russia – you guessed it, dominiated by Nigerians (my people, lol). Actually alot of Africans who went to Russia to study during the 60's, 70's and 80's most notably at the People's Friendship University (which has now changed names)
http://www.nigeriancommunity.ru/gtree.html
Another interest fact involves pastor sunday who runs one of THE LARGEST CHURCHES in Europe in Kiev.
http://www.godembassy.org/en/embassy.php
Nice site, by the way
Guys, mother land is in Eritrea (lagon, spelling might be wrong). he is the grand son of Abraham zeray who died fighting the Turks. And Abraham Hanibal was taken to exile as a kid and sold to peter the Great. Now in 2009 a monument of Alexander Pushkin is put in Eritrea for the remembrance of his ancestry.
loook at this link.
http://www.shaebia.org/wwwboard/contributedarti…