Sojourners
from across the state of Texas attended the 4th Annual Sankofa:
Caravan to the Ancestors hosted by the National Black United Front – Houston
Chapter (NBUF). The Caravan pulled
out at 7:30am from NBUF headquarters with one bus and over seventy cars and
several motorcyclists proudly flying the Black liberation flag (Red, Black,
Green). Prior to departure many
onlookers stopped to ask, “What is this, What’s Happening?” “We goin to
Galveston, were our ancestors came in on them ships” shouted Mosheh Adamu who
was in charge of traffic control.
A
sunny eighty-degree day provided a safe one-hour journey from Houston to
Galveston, Beach. Leading the
Caravan the Bus was rocking as it pulled up to the Beachfront with chants of
Black Power, Forward Ever Backward Never, Pamota Tatushinda Uhuru Salsa, and Too
Black Too Strong. “Our ancestors
didn’t have no air conditioned bus, they didn’t have no soft seats to ride
on, they didn’t have no fine clothes to wear, they came in the holes of ships
right on these shores” bellowed the chant leader. “You got to shout so Huey
P. Newton and Nat Turner can hear you, you got to shout so Ella Baker and
Harriet Tubman can hear you, Black Power”.
Periodically, sojourners could be seen in quite reflection and
contemplation gazing at the pure beauty of the beach as Omowale Manu NBUF
Secretary had given a sharp historical overview of Black self-determination
across the state of Texas.
The
celebration on the beach began with the permission of the elders and the pouring
of libation by Ifa Yome (Dallas), Christian prayer by Reverend George Melligan
(Houston), Islamic prayer by Thomas Muhammad (Dallas) and Hebrew prayer by
Brother Michael (Houston). Everyone
roared raising their proud black fist as we recited the pledge to the Red, Black
and Green given to us by Amy Jacques Garvey. After the spirited libation,
prayers and pledge sojourners engaged in a ritual to honor the almighty Creator,
the Orisha and our Holy African Ancestors by taking a piece of coconut, palm
leaf and cowrie shell to the shore line led by Chief Priest Baba Awo Adeyemi
Ogunde (Houston). As the hundreds
of participants all dressed in white proceeded to the shoreline, the New Black
Panthers of Houston and Dallas took security positions on the parameters clad in
their all black uniforms. Drummers lined both sides of the sandy isle to the
shore. Spontaneous dancing broke
out as several sisters formed a circle and began taking turns moving with the
rhythms of the ancient drum. Throughout
the day songs of praise and inspiration were delivered. Sister Munirah Olibisi
silenced the crowd with her rendition of the Sweet Honey In the Rock classic
Breaths.
Our commitment to the struggle of our people was constantly affirmed being treated to words of wisdom from Sue Johnson (Nia Cultural Center Girls Rights of Passage, Galveston), Baba Phil Johnson (Organization for Black Unity, Inc., San Antonio), Minister Quannel X (National Minister of Information, New Black Panther Party), and Professor Jelani Williams (University of Houston) who came with one hundred students from his African history class. Each speaker stated what the day meant for them and encouraged the participants to take the positive energy they were feeling and put it to use everyday in our communities. Minister Quannel X had everyone’s attention stating that our allegiance should be to the Black nations issues i.e. reparations as opposed to manufactured patriotism for America. The NSORROMA Afrikan Dance Company from Prairie View and the Ayubu Afrikan Drum and Dance group from Dallas gave energized well-choreographed interludes rousing loud applause and approval from the crowd. The participants were reminded of our political prisoners particularly Sundiata Acoli when the students from P.V. A&M performed (his old school).
In the end the Creator was uplifted, the Orisha appeased, the Ancestors praised, the elders respected, the children inspired and the struggle moved forward as everyone went to shores one final time singing traditional African songs, waving and saying Odabo (Yoruba for Goodbye) to all of the powerful spirits that had joined us for the day. On behalf of the Officers and Members of NBUF-Houston we would like to thank all of those who participated and made this outstanding day possible. Ashe! (Let It Be So)
Sponsors:
African-American News & Issues, PT publications, Waset Preparatory Academy,
New Black Panther Party, Omni Music Group, C’Phil’s Piano Bar, Naturally
Yours Pharmacy, Ed Taylor Electricians, Att. U. Lawrence Boze, Unity National
Bank, Lisa Berry-Dockery, i10 MEDIA Group and Dialogue with Ada Edwards.
Supporters Not Mentioned By Name In Article: Institute of African Religion and Ifa Orisha Educational Center, Egbe Egunjobi, Fellowship of Afrikan Studies and Religion, Sehah Youth Drummers, Amandla Productions, Act of Change, Drummers Houston/Dallas/Prairie View, Party Stop, Golden Eagle Leadership Academy, Akoramante Society, S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, Pan-African Connection.
01.27.2004