August 1, 2020 // 8 AM
Virtual Event: Ashé Facebook Live
Maafa is a Kiswahili word that means “great tragedy” or “horrific tragedy”, referring to the period called the Middle Passage or TransAtlantic Slave Trade. During that time, millions of captives from the continent of Africa were taken captive, persecuted, beaten, separated from their families and forced into enslavement and free labor.
The Maafa Commemoration offers an opportunity for the entire community to pause and reflect on the horrific transgression against humanity, and how to personally, as a community, agree to distance ourselves institutionally in word and deed from that transgression, its legacy, and the evolved practice of racism in our civic, social, spiritual and personal lives.
Though we are in the midst of a global pandemic, we give thanks for the ability to gather virtually for this year's Maafa. Drummers, dancers, healers, artists, activists, and musicians will lead us in a virtual procession this year in order to ensure the safety of our community.
Maafa 2020 Grand Griots:
Jennifer Turner
Andre Perry
Maafa 2020 Featured Artists:
Sula Spirit // Sunni Patterson // Spirit McIntyre // Freddi Evans Williams // Baba Luther // Brother T // Brother Simba // Sha'Condria "iCon" Sibley // Mwende Katwiwa // Frederick "Wood" Delahoussaye // Malik Bartholomew // Kaia Livers // Caren Green // Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes // Nana Anoa // Jamilah Peters-Muhammad // Nailah Smith // Gabrielle Cooks