Identity: Who do you think you are?

As Ghana celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence this year - an event that symbolised the beginning of the end of colonialism in Africa - the BBC's competition for Africa explores the continent's identity.

Here, BBC News website reader John ole Kisimir - a Kenyan living in the United States - describes how he sees himself.

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I am African. A Kenyan. A Maasai tribesman and a cattle-loving journalist.

As a child, I only knew my tribe and family. School and church taught me about God and nationalism.

My travels have given me a new identity. An identity that makes me feel unique and special.

In Somalia, they claim I look like people of that country and treat me with honour.

In Ethiopia, they talk to me in Amharic and eyes pop out when I fish out a different passport.

In Sudan's Darfur region, refugees considered me an Arab and a spy for the government because I am not very dark.

Immigration officers take longer to peruse my papers just to make sure I am not a runaway Islamic militant

Pro-government militias smiled at me thinking that I am part of a notorious enclave.

In Rwanda, I pass for a perfect Tutsi tribesman and get all the smiles but Hutus shun me until they learn I am not from Rwanda.

In West Africa, I am considered a member of the Fulani tribe: must be a Muslim too.

Closer home, in Tanzania, I pass for an Mbulu tribesman until the passport does the trick.

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Sadly at home, cops in the streets of Nairobi sometimes stop me to prove my Kenyan identity. Immigration officers take longer to peruse my papers just to make sure I am not a runaway Islamic militant.

Here in America, I have one major identity, a black man. At least to white people, I am black.

It looked that simple for a while until I started seeing classification of black people: African black, African-American black, black alien, black immigrant.

Or now I hear a new one - African-American black for America's black citizens who are not descendants of slaves.

Who am I? Or is it what am I?

Tribe is not enough. My country is too limited. My continent embraces me in various ways. My skin colour has too many dimensions.

I know who I am. I am a human being. I am a child of God. I am truly African!

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

This competition is coming to an end on the BBC's Network Africa programme, and the winner of a week-long visit to London will be announced soon.

The BBC News website will continue to publish some contributions, so let us know whether you identify yourself first and foremost with your family, your ethnic group, your country, your region or your continent and how this affects the way you behave and see the world.

If you have photos to accompany your contribution send them to [e-mail], otherwise use the form at the bottom of the page.

Entries should be no more than 300 words.

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