Maafa 2023 Program

 

MAAFA Commemoration 2023
As we wait for our sisters and brothers to make it to the other side, the shores where we were taken, we dance the dundunba dance—the Warrior Dance, from West Africa. We will drop our shackles, call on the ancestors in this mighty dance and be free. . . .

Welcome: Sister Wanda Sabir/Brother Desmond Iman

As we process through the philosophical “Doors of No Return” give thanks for what we remember . . . trauma induces amnesia, yet the body remembers what the mind forgets. Intuition is another name for Divine Spirit. The bones which lie between Alkebulan and the West, link black people genetically through this liquid experience: sweat, blood, feces, urine, milk, afterbirth, death. The transcontinental passages, our ancestors packaged as if they were inanimate cargo, connect our souls and scarred bodies to this day. The Maafa Commemoration acknowledges this. The yokes and chains and shackles many of us still bear speak to this, as does freedom.

Song, “Many Thousands Gone” – Darinxoso Oyamasela—

Desmond introduces program components:

Maafa Theme Song (Call & Response): Brotha Clint, composer/Dedication: for the Millions
Lead singer: Yeye Ebun Akanke

MAAFA we remember you.
The Middle Passage/
And All that we’ve been through/
We’re still here/
Lest we forget/
Our heads to the sky/
We cry . . . why? –
(© Clint Sockwell II, Dana Sockwell & Roberta Robinson)

Libations & Prayers: Ministers Alisha Teasley and Imhotep Alkebulan

Zimbabwean Prayer -- Sister Carol Afua

A Liberating Black People’s Prayer, for Justice and Peace) By: Francis Cress Welsing, M.D., © 1996. To say and envision when in prayer

Call and Response—Youth volunteer

Thou who art Blacker than a trillion midnights,
Whose eyes shine brighter than a billion suns
Thou whose hair doth coil tighter than a Million springs, radiating all energy throughout the universe,

We beseech THEE, ONE and ONLY ONE,

To give to us total strength, to carry out THY will for the universe!

To establish JUSTICE on planet EARTH and live in PEACE.

Sayings from Iya Audre Lorde (Feb. 18, 1934-Nov. 17, 1992); (Thank you Sister Ava Square) Youth Volunteer(s) share; alternating voices.

“What we must do is commit ourselves to some future that can include each other and to work toward that future with the particular strengths of our individual identities. And in order for us to do this, we must allow each other our differences at the same time as we recognize our sameness.” —Audre Lorde

 “Survival is the greatest gift of love.” (Repeat)

“We are powerful because we have survived, and that is what it is all about—survival and growth.” —Audre Lorde (Repeat)

Song: “Inner Beauty” by Regina Wells aka Rashida Oji
Special Message --Yeye Ebun Akanke

Community Share (Host Brother Iman)
Other prayers and offerings. 1-2 minute limit per person up to 10-12 people (10-20 minutes). Prayers requested from those assembled in traditional African and African Diaspora (which includes English languages) –

Shake it off—Nervous System regulation—Sister Wanda with Drummers (3 mins)

Song: “Calling All Angels” – Lady Sunrise

Ritual of Forgiveness Call and Response (Red Roses passed out while Lady Sunrise sings) – © Sister Sheba Makeda Haven (https://www.etsy.com/shop/sistersheba)

Song: “Oh Happy Day”—Baba Darinxoso Oyamasela

*Chants/Songs/Prayer – Dr. Uzo leads in Igbo, her native language (reference Maafa 2019)

Dr. Uzo writes: “This is a traditional Igbo war song. Enyinmba means elephant. An elephant has the power to stomp but never alone. They often move in packs.  We must move in packs together. The affirmation Enyinmba is a term used to affirm people who are strong and powerful.

“I changed some of the "call" lyrics to relate to this event.”  

Igbo chant-Eyinmba

Announcements: 

dana king’s “350 Ancestors” (outside) and exhibit Kehinde Wiley’s Archaeology of Silence & Lhola Amira: Facing the Future (inside) —both at Golden Gate Park, deYoung Museum, Special offering to ancestors Sister Wanda and Community

Participate, Share, Like, Follow:  MAAFA SF Bay Area Virtual Altar. Please take a moment and share a photo and memory of an honored ancestor. You add by pressing the "+" on the right bottom corner of page.  Follow the site and share. Thanks!  

https://padlet.com/maafasfbayarea/Bookmarks 

Follow, Like, Share: Facebook.com/maafabayarea and maafasfbayarea.com

Follow, Like, Share: Maafa 25^th Annual Virtual Exhibit. Please visit and share and like and comment.  The history of the Bay Area Ceremony is posted here. 

Song: Baba Darinxoso Oyamasela—"Lift Every Voice” (James Weldon Johnson)
Meditation: (Sister Helena Vonk)

Drumming Call: Sister Charlene Gums
Drummers can lead everyone to the water to make libations to ancestors

Quiet meditation and prayer at the water’s edge—toss flowers on the waves for the ancestors

Program ends.

Greetings and Conversation
Stay for Black people gathering afterward. Music, dance, and playfulness encouraged. Please share a reflection with one of our Roving Scribes.

If we miss you, email a recorded message (video is great) to us for the website maafasfbayarea.com@gmail.com You can also record or videotape a message here: 510-397-9705.

Sign-in Sheet, Questionnaire – https://maafasanfranciscobayarea.blogspot.com/2023/10/survey-questions-for-maafa-sf-bay-area.html

Please take a moment to respond to a few questions about yourself and your experience today, also how you might want to participate in 2024. Copies of the questionnaire and a photo release form are on the food table on a clipboard. Please sign the photo release form. The Questionnaire is also online. 

The 2024 Ritual is Sunday, October 13, 2024 and at our 30^th Anniversary Ritual is Sunday, October 12, 2025.

The State of CA declared the month of October Maafa Commemoration Month over 15 years ago. Let’s claim it!

Clean-up—it’s a team effort.
Donations: There is a donation jar on the food table. paypal.me/wandaspicks or
Cash is fine too. Checks can be mailed to Ms. Wanda Sabir, P.O. Box 30756, Oakland, CA 94604.

Thanks!

We want to thank the usual suspects (smile), our Commemoration Team: Baba Darinxoso Oyamasela (ritual program, songs), Min. Alicia Teasley (ritual program, libations); The Teasley family youth (ritual program volunteers; official photographer); Min. Imhotep (ritual program, libations), Sister Carol Afua (ritual program, prayers, refreshments); Brother Marcus “Zahir” Blevins (donation, transportation, video, refreshments); Dr. Uzo Nwankpa (ritual program, chant and movement); Yeye Ebun Akanke Adéṣokan (ritual); Brother Desmond Iman (sound, ritual program host); Brother Michael “Khubaka” Harris (publicity); Sister Charlene Gums (lead drummer); Baba Tye (donation); Sister Ava Square (chorography, ritual program); Sister Regina Wells aka Rashida Oji (ritual program, song); Lady Sunrise (ritual program, song); Sister Helena Vonk(ritual program: altar, meditation); Brother Che (lead contact for Community Ready Corps—security); Brotha Clint (team member emeritus; composer, “Maafa SF Bay Area” Theme song); co-founder, Rev. Donald Paul Miller; co-founder & CEO, Sister Wanda Sabir; Ancestors: Sister Makinya, Sister Hadiah, Brother Tahuti.