Photo credit: Sara Marie Prada, All Rights Reserved
Friday, October 30, 2009
MAAFA 2009
Maafa 2009 was chillier than usual, but our hearts were certainly no less warmed by the ancestors’ tight embrace. As supplicants made their way through the Middle Passage to the Wolosodon rhythms, the slave march through the Doors of No Return to the beach where each person held a piece of string—symbolic of a connection…a philosophical connection to the homeland, family and history. It was really beautiful as we sang the Mbongi song from the Kikongo tradition, Wolosodon from the Bambara or Mali Kingdom, then prayed in Yoruba and Shona with an English translation. As we stood turned in the four scared directions, spirit grabbed Mama Geri and Mama Ayanna…we had service that morning on the beach as winds whipped our faces, tears dried before they left one’s eyes. There were many new faces and the feeling was certainly reverent and celebratory. We were all thankful to the ancestors for the day and the life and the company and the spirit. Visit www.maafasfbayarea.com to see photos and reflections as they become available.
Photo credit: Copyright 2009 Sara Marie Prada, All Rights Reserved
Monday, October 26, 2009
The 12th Annual Sankofa Caravan to the Ancestors
“A spirit to be remembered”
By ZIN (Minister of Culture, NBUF)
As early as Thursday, October 15th people from across the country began to converge to the cities of Houston and Galveston, Texas for one event; The National Black United Front’s 12th Annual – Sankofa Caravan to the Ancestors. The kick-off began with an edutainment component organized by the University of Houston’s Liberation Society and N.B.U.F. entitled “Drum and Chant – The Roots of Hip-Hopoetry”, featuring master poet Mutabaruka and other local Houston artists such as Sunni Patterson, 144 Elite, Empress Winter, Bishop Black, Torian, Sar, Rez and hosted by Emcee ZIN. It all took place on the campus of the University of Houston (central). It was a divine mix of Hip-Hop/Poetry! You could feel the revolutionary energy in the room, where all ages from toddlers to elders bobbed their heads, clapped their hands and gave their Ashe’ to the wordsmiths of the night. This was just the beginning of three days of reconnecting our past to the present while showing the necessity for ancestor veneration, unity in our communities and the need to settle our differences. The theme for this year’s Caravan was “Settle your quarrels, come together…the sooner begun, the sooner done” which was taken from a quote by ancestor George Jackson.
There could not have been a more fitting theme, simply due to immediate need for the rebuilding of a united front in the African community as a whole. This has been the mission of The National Black United Front’s Houston Chapter for the last decade, now under the leadership of now National Chairman Kofi Taharka. Bringing together African communities of all faiths with the sole purpose of healing our people through prayers and actions of positive, progressive, forward motion toward the liberation of African peoples worldwide!
The second event took place Friday, October 16th at the S.H.A.P.E. Community Ctr. – Houston, TX. This event was the viewing of the movie “Sankofa” directed by Haile Gerima which featured question and answer period following the movie with two of the films’ stars Oyafunmike Ogunlano and Mutaburaka.
For the last few years the movie has been shown even though a large number of people have seen it. Nearly everyone in attendance would attest to their need to re-visit the movie’s concepts of reconnecting to the African spirit. On this evening the African communities from Houston, Oklahoma, Dallas and Atlanta introduced their children to Oyafunmike and Mutabaruka with proud and respectful reverence as they explained how much it meant to meet “our” movie hero and shero.
The main event showed up as quickly as the rising of the sun on Saturday, October 17th at 6:30 a.m. as beautifully dressed members of the Pan-African community in their all white garbs met at the N.B.U.F. Houston Headquarters, located at 2428 Southmore, for this glorious day. The 12th Annual Sankofa – Caravan to the Ancestors had arrived and all the excitement from the last two days had come to a boil. Peace, Uhuru, Black Power, Forward, As Salaamulaikum, and other greetings filled the air as Brothers and Sisters greeted one another while mentally preparing for what was ahead. Capt. Khalid Greene and the Houston IN-CERT (Inner city emergency response team) organized the vehicles that would partake in the physical caravan down to Galveston, Texas. The caravan included members of various community organizations such as Sehah , O.B.U.-San Antonio, NCOBRA, Third eye-Dallas, TX., AAPRP, The Act of Change and The Shrine of the Black Madonna just to name a few.
Arriving at 29th and Seawall in Galveston, the caravan was welcomed by the sounds of African drumming and waves crashing. Hugs and high spirits filled the air. Bro. Salim Adolfo (Vice-Chairman of NBUF) opened the ceremony with greetings of peace from the National Black United Front. Second to speak was Chairman Kofi Taharka with the word of day on how our communities needed to settle our quarrels now while firing the revolutionary spirits of all on the beach. Oyafumike Ogulano blessed the ceremony with an opening libation, honoring our holy African ancestors. African communities from Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, Baton Rouge, San Antonio, New York, Tulsa Oklahoma, Jamaica and Houston poured onto the beach to partake in the spiritual festivities.
Also in attendance on the beach were Cynthia Mckinney and legendary percussionist Bill Summers. After singing songs of praise and dancing to the drummers, all were invited to make an offering into the very waters that once brought our ancestors from Africa into captivity here in America. The ceremony lasted approximately three hours, ending in a closing prayer and directions to the luncheon which was held at Old Central Cultural Center. Once at the center Caravan attendees had a chance to unwind, eat and listen to uplifting and motivational words of wisdom from Chairman Kofi Taharka, Oyafunmike and Mutabaruka just to name a few. Once full of spirit and nourishment, everyone quietly reflected, smiled and gave thanks for the opportunity to work toward the liberation of African people through reverence, sacrifice, love and power of community! With the will of the creator and the ancestors, we shall meet again on the shores of Galveston, Texas next year to revisit and reclaim our divine and rightful place were our forefathers and mothers were brought to this land unwillingly. However we willingly say “Forward ever, Backward NEVER!”
Many thanks and blessings go out to all of the African spiritualist communities that attended and offered their body of knowledge, wisdom and understanding on honoring our holy African ancestors.
Special thanks goes out to the organizers of the Caravan which include, Event Chair-woman, Osunbunmi Gaidi, Bro. Omowale, Sis. Folade, Bro. T. Piper, Sis. Matti and all that came to the weekly NBUF meetings and planning sessions.
Please view the video I produced from the Caravan: http://vimeo.com/7220546
View Pictures from the Sankofa Caravan events: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43762891@N03/show/
Forward in truth,
ZIN
Minister of Culture
National Black United Front
S.O.S. RADIO
Every Wednesday 3p-5p
90.1fm Houston, 89.5fm Galveston
www.kpft.org
www.trickledownent.com
www.soundofsoul.net
www.myspace.com/sosradio
www.breakrecordz.blogspot.com
"Enlightening the ears and souls of the people"
“A spirit to be remembered”
By ZIN (Minister of Culture, NBUF)
As early as Thursday, October 15th people from across the country began to converge to the cities of Houston and Galveston, Texas for one event; The National Black United Front’s 12th Annual – Sankofa Caravan to the Ancestors. The kick-off began with an edutainment component organized by the University of Houston’s Liberation Society and N.B.U.F. entitled “Drum and Chant – The Roots of Hip-Hopoetry”, featuring master poet Mutabaruka and other local Houston artists such as Sunni Patterson, 144 Elite, Empress Winter, Bishop Black, Torian, Sar, Rez and hosted by Emcee ZIN. It all took place on the campus of the University of Houston (central). It was a divine mix of Hip-Hop/Poetry! You could feel the revolutionary energy in the room, where all ages from toddlers to elders bobbed their heads, clapped their hands and gave their Ashe’ to the wordsmiths of the night. This was just the beginning of three days of reconnecting our past to the present while showing the necessity for ancestor veneration, unity in our communities and the need to settle our differences. The theme for this year’s Caravan was “Settle your quarrels, come together…the sooner begun, the sooner done” which was taken from a quote by ancestor George Jackson.
There could not have been a more fitting theme, simply due to immediate need for the rebuilding of a united front in the African community as a whole. This has been the mission of The National Black United Front’s Houston Chapter for the last decade, now under the leadership of now National Chairman Kofi Taharka. Bringing together African communities of all faiths with the sole purpose of healing our people through prayers and actions of positive, progressive, forward motion toward the liberation of African peoples worldwide!
The second event took place Friday, October 16th at the S.H.A.P.E. Community Ctr. – Houston, TX. This event was the viewing of the movie “Sankofa” directed by Haile Gerima which featured question and answer period following the movie with two of the films’ stars Oyafunmike Ogunlano and Mutaburaka.
For the last few years the movie has been shown even though a large number of people have seen it. Nearly everyone in attendance would attest to their need to re-visit the movie’s concepts of reconnecting to the African spirit. On this evening the African communities from Houston, Oklahoma, Dallas and Atlanta introduced their children to Oyafunmike and Mutabaruka with proud and respectful reverence as they explained how much it meant to meet “our” movie hero and shero.
The main event showed up as quickly as the rising of the sun on Saturday, October 17th at 6:30 a.m. as beautifully dressed members of the Pan-African community in their all white garbs met at the N.B.U.F. Houston Headquarters, located at 2428 Southmore, for this glorious day. The 12th Annual Sankofa – Caravan to the Ancestors had arrived and all the excitement from the last two days had come to a boil. Peace, Uhuru, Black Power, Forward, As Salaamulaikum, and other greetings filled the air as Brothers and Sisters greeted one another while mentally preparing for what was ahead. Capt. Khalid Greene and the Houston IN-CERT (Inner city emergency response team) organized the vehicles that would partake in the physical caravan down to Galveston, Texas. The caravan included members of various community organizations such as Sehah , O.B.U.-San Antonio, NCOBRA, Third eye-Dallas, TX., AAPRP, The Act of Change and The Shrine of the Black Madonna just to name a few.
Arriving at 29th and Seawall in Galveston, the caravan was welcomed by the sounds of African drumming and waves crashing. Hugs and high spirits filled the air. Bro. Salim Adolfo (Vice-Chairman of NBUF) opened the ceremony with greetings of peace from the National Black United Front. Second to speak was Chairman Kofi Taharka with the word of day on how our communities needed to settle our quarrels now while firing the revolutionary spirits of all on the beach. Oyafumike Ogulano blessed the ceremony with an opening libation, honoring our holy African ancestors. African communities from Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, Baton Rouge, San Antonio, New York, Tulsa Oklahoma, Jamaica and Houston poured onto the beach to partake in the spiritual festivities.
Also in attendance on the beach were Cynthia Mckinney and legendary percussionist Bill Summers. After singing songs of praise and dancing to the drummers, all were invited to make an offering into the very waters that once brought our ancestors from Africa into captivity here in America. The ceremony lasted approximately three hours, ending in a closing prayer and directions to the luncheon which was held at Old Central Cultural Center. Once at the center Caravan attendees had a chance to unwind, eat and listen to uplifting and motivational words of wisdom from Chairman Kofi Taharka, Oyafunmike and Mutabaruka just to name a few. Once full of spirit and nourishment, everyone quietly reflected, smiled and gave thanks for the opportunity to work toward the liberation of African people through reverence, sacrifice, love and power of community! With the will of the creator and the ancestors, we shall meet again on the shores of Galveston, Texas next year to revisit and reclaim our divine and rightful place were our forefathers and mothers were brought to this land unwillingly. However we willingly say “Forward ever, Backward NEVER!”
Many thanks and blessings go out to all of the African spiritualist communities that attended and offered their body of knowledge, wisdom and understanding on honoring our holy African ancestors.
Special thanks goes out to the organizers of the Caravan which include, Event Chair-woman, Osunbunmi Gaidi, Bro. Omowale, Sis. Folade, Bro. T. Piper, Sis. Matti and all that came to the weekly NBUF meetings and planning sessions.
Please view the video I produced from the Caravan: http://vimeo.com/7220546
View Pictures from the Sankofa Caravan events: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43762891@N03/show/
Forward in truth,
ZIN
Minister of Culture
National Black United Front
S.O.S. RADIO
Every Wednesday 3p-5p
90.1fm Houston, 89.5fm Galveston
www.kpft.org
www.trickledownent.com
www.soundofsoul.net
www.myspace.com/sosradio
www.breakrecordz.blogspot.com
"Enlightening the ears and souls of the people"
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Maafa Commemoration in Alabama
You are invited to attend our second annual MAAFA Celebration on Saturday, October 24, 2009. Festivities will begin at:
9:00 a.m. At the Slavery and Civil War Museum, 1410 Water Avenue with Soul Prints of Our Ancestors and Ourselves (Interactive Tour).
10:00 a.m. Walking on Water: A Silent Procession down Water Avenue to Memorial Park for dedication of a Maker in honor of our enslaved Ancestors.
11:00 a.m. Marker Dedication Ceremony
12 Noon Lunch at Wallace Community College, 3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway, Selma, Alabama at the Hank Sanders Technology Center. Senator Hank Sanders will prepare and serve his favorite dish "Umoja."
2:00 p.m. Author, Scholar and Activist Raymond Winbush will discuss his book
"The Warrior Method" at George Wallace Community College (Goodwin Theatre). Book Signing to follow.
4:00 p.m. Reception for Ambassador Jean-Claude B. Bope and Dr. Raymond Winbush at the Hank Sanders Technology Center.
6:00 p.m. Premier Showing of BROTHERHOOD AGAINST APARTHEID Talk Back Session with Ambassador Jean-Claude B. Bope Executive Producer George Wallace Community College (Goodwin Theatre).
7:30 p.m. "The Healing Song" an original musical drama written by Faya Rose Toure’
and Survivors of Sexual Abuse.
For additional information please feel free to call (334) 418-4889.
9:00 a.m. At the Slavery and Civil War Museum, 1410 Water Avenue with Soul Prints of Our Ancestors and Ourselves (Interactive Tour).
10:00 a.m. Walking on Water: A Silent Procession down Water Avenue to Memorial Park for dedication of a Maker in honor of our enslaved Ancestors.
11:00 a.m. Marker Dedication Ceremony
12 Noon Lunch at Wallace Community College, 3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway, Selma, Alabama at the Hank Sanders Technology Center. Senator Hank Sanders will prepare and serve his favorite dish "Umoja."
2:00 p.m. Author, Scholar and Activist Raymond Winbush will discuss his book
"The Warrior Method" at George Wallace Community College (Goodwin Theatre). Book Signing to follow.
4:00 p.m. Reception for Ambassador Jean-Claude B. Bope and Dr. Raymond Winbush at the Hank Sanders Technology Center.
6:00 p.m. Premier Showing of BROTHERHOOD AGAINST APARTHEID Talk Back Session with Ambassador Jean-Claude B. Bope Executive Producer George Wallace Community College (Goodwin Theatre).
7:30 p.m. "The Healing Song" an original musical drama written by Faya Rose Toure’
and Survivors of Sexual Abuse.
For additional information please feel free to call (334) 418-4889.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 23, 2009 is ABOLITION DAY
ABOLITION DAY TO BE COMMEMORATED AT KEY WEST’S 1860 AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition is to be commemorated at an oceanfront Key West site believed to be the only African refugee cemetery in the United States.
Presented by Key West’s Bahama Conch Community Land Trust, the observance is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at the 1860 African Burial Ground on Higgs Beach, Atlantic Boulevard and White Street.
The commemoration is to focus on the progress of a memorial honoring the African refugees buried in the cemetery and goals for making it a World Heritage Site.
Experts believe the burial ground contains the graves of Africans who died in 1860 after being freed by the U.S. Navy from three American-owned slave ships captured near the Cuban coast.
More than 1,400 African men, women and children were transported to Key West for sanctuary, housed and cared for after being rescued from the slave vessels. Most eventually were returned to Africa, but 295 died in Key West, probably from illnesses resulting from the brutal conditions aboard the slave ships. They were buried in unmarked graves along the island’s southern shore.
Shortly afterward, construction began on a Martello tower that encompassed part of the cemetery site, and the Africans’ story was virtually forgotten until historical research and a 2002 ground-penetrating radar analysis revealed the presence of graves.
At the Aug. 23 event, presenters are to include Norma Jean Sawyer of the volunteer committee for the 1860 African Memorial Site Project; Professor Gene Tinnie, lead concept artist for the project; and Nigerian-born artist Johnson Odibi, a contributor to the concept design.
The evening is to include a presentation on the cemetery’s significance to international history and plans to introduce the site and its story to UNESCO for consideration as a potential World Heritage Site.
Storyteller, writer and public radio host Madafo, a representative of the Diaspora Arts Coalition of Miami, is to give an overview of Africans forced into slavery in earlier centuries and the overwhelming affects of the trade. Tinnie plans to share the story of how the African symbols that adorn the cemetery’s columns were chosen, while Odibi will describe the significance of other artwork at the site.
In addition, Sawyer will chronicle the ways Key West residents came together in 1860 to protect and care for the African refugees, and continue to spearhead present-day efforts to preserve the cemetery and its story for future generations.
Performances by ceremonial drummers are expected to round out the events.
Proclaimed by UNESCO, the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition commemorates the start of a 1791 uprising of enslaved Africans in Santo Domingo that played a critical role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
For more information, call Norma Jean Sawyer at (305) 294-0884 or e-mail njsawyer@bahamaconchclt.org.
For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition is to be commemorated at an oceanfront Key West site believed to be the only African refugee cemetery in the United States.
Presented by Key West’s Bahama Conch Community Land Trust, the observance is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, at the 1860 African Burial Ground on Higgs Beach, Atlantic Boulevard and White Street.
The commemoration is to focus on the progress of a memorial honoring the African refugees buried in the cemetery and goals for making it a World Heritage Site.
Experts believe the burial ground contains the graves of Africans who died in 1860 after being freed by the U.S. Navy from three American-owned slave ships captured near the Cuban coast.
More than 1,400 African men, women and children were transported to Key West for sanctuary, housed and cared for after being rescued from the slave vessels. Most eventually were returned to Africa, but 295 died in Key West, probably from illnesses resulting from the brutal conditions aboard the slave ships. They were buried in unmarked graves along the island’s southern shore.
Shortly afterward, construction began on a Martello tower that encompassed part of the cemetery site, and the Africans’ story was virtually forgotten until historical research and a 2002 ground-penetrating radar analysis revealed the presence of graves.
At the Aug. 23 event, presenters are to include Norma Jean Sawyer of the volunteer committee for the 1860 African Memorial Site Project; Professor Gene Tinnie, lead concept artist for the project; and Nigerian-born artist Johnson Odibi, a contributor to the concept design.
The evening is to include a presentation on the cemetery’s significance to international history and plans to introduce the site and its story to UNESCO for consideration as a potential World Heritage Site.
Storyteller, writer and public radio host Madafo, a representative of the Diaspora Arts Coalition of Miami, is to give an overview of Africans forced into slavery in earlier centuries and the overwhelming affects of the trade. Tinnie plans to share the story of how the African symbols that adorn the cemetery’s columns were chosen, while Odibi will describe the significance of other artwork at the site.
In addition, Sawyer will chronicle the ways Key West residents came together in 1860 to protect and care for the African refugees, and continue to spearhead present-day efforts to preserve the cemetery and its story for future generations.
Performances by ceremonial drummers are expected to round out the events.
Proclaimed by UNESCO, the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition commemorates the start of a 1791 uprising of enslaved Africans in Santo Domingo that played a critical role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
For more information, call Norma Jean Sawyer at (305) 294-0884 or e-mail njsawyer@bahamaconchclt.org.
For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com.
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