Alice@Large: Culture Club: African Landing Day; Honoring the Truth!

"If the Atlantic were to dry up, it would reveal a scattered pathway of bones, African bones,
marking the various routes of the Middle Passage" Dr. John Henrik Clarke

Elder Blessing & Welcome Native Tribute

Spiritual Sunday, came on a Tuesday for me. The weather was warm, the sun kissed, the beach calm. I was honored to bear witness to the 2nd Annual African Landing Day "Ritual of Remembrance" Event. August 20th, has been officially proclaimed by the City of Hampton, as the day we remember our ancestors who lost lives and endured 246 years of bondage. I am sure the beach was far from a welcoming sight that fateful day in the summer of August 1619.

"Opening Of The Way"

African Landing Day commemorates the first ship of enslaved Africans who came ashore at Point Comfort. Unbeknownst to them, these human beings who arrived on English Territory-North American would go on to lead to the beginning of the institution of Slavery. Our ancestors from Angola, Africa would eventually go on to help build this place we call the United States.

With the aroma of burning sage and inscent in the air, the event started off as tradition would have it with the "Drum Call to The Ancestors." We marched behind the beat of beautiful African drums, from the Seashore to the Gazebo. We were then officially welcomed by Chadra Pittman Walke Founder/Executive Director of the Sankofa Projects, with an "Elder Blessing" from Dr. Dawson, who's young age of 91 had everyone up

Sage to represent our ancestors ashes.

in cheers! The "Opening of the Way" came from Priestess Auset, Priest Khepra and a dear friend of mine Priestess Amani.

We then witness a traditional dance by the Ubuntu Dance Collective Childrens group! Adorable! In addition to the many special dedications, one of the highlights for me, was to hear Mr. Calvin Pearson, Founder of Project 1619, Inc., speak. He told the story of what some historians fail to revive. He told our truth. I was instantly intrigued. I yearned to learn more of this truth....

Mr. Calvin Pearson, Founder of Projects 1619 Inc.

"In May of 1619, the Sao Joao Bautista started loading 350 Africans who had been captured from the Ndongo region of Angola.....The Bautista was attacked by two ships, The Treasure and The White Lion. Sailors from the White Lion boarded the Bautista looking for gold and sliver. When they opened the cargo hole all they saw were Black faces staring at them. They were not equipped to take on human cargo because they did not have room or food...So the White Lion split up the 60 or so of the healthiest Africans with the Treasure and headed to Virginia. In August of 1619, John Rolfe, widower of Pocohantas, was at Point Comfort on this fateful day and he wrote in his diary "About the latter end of August, a Dutch man of Warr of the burden of 160 tons arrived at Point Comfort, Commanders name was Capt Jope. He brought not anything but 20 and odd Negroes." In the memoires of Capt. John Colyn Jopne, captian of the White Lion, he wrote in his journal that he unloaded 20 and odd Negroes at Point Comfort..."

"Drum Call To The Ancestors"

Excerpt from the African Landing Day Commemoration Symposium 2013 by Mr. Pearson.

He went on to say that those "20 or so" Africans were traded for a bushel of corn.

Members of the Angolan Embassy joined this special occasion and were welcome by the City of Hampton. At this point, I was almost in tears. Wow. Full Circle.

"Drum Call To The Ancestors" walk from the seasore.

At the conclusion of the event, I can tell you one thing, we had a "Higher Power" amongst us! Proof of the full moon that lit our path to the ocean. We were given a longstem white carnation to represent those we lost and our ancestors. As the drums played, we were lead to the seashore, some marching, many dancing, everyone smiling! I took a deep breath, with a prayer and kiss to the carnation, I tossed mine into the ocean. To see the love, honor, and joy on everyone faces as they tossed their carnations....priceless.

I left feeling so full of life, history and with such appreciation for all of those that came before us. I felt enlightened. So much pride in knowing that, our strength, really, really, comes from somewhere. Our strength came from those who shed blood, sweat and tears, as they fought for humanity. Those who shed blood, sweat and tears, so that we can have the rights we do today.

Efforts are being made to build a monument in honor of the arrival of the Africans at Fort Monroe. For more information please visit: www.project1619.org.