The MAAFA is a racial healing commemoration of the ancestors, known and unknown, from the Transatlantic & Domestic Slave Trades.

The annual New Orleans MAAFA Commemoration is a community remembrance event, a moment to reckon with the horrors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and a release from the chains of its legacy. MAAFA is a Kiswahili word meaning “horrific tragedy” and refers to the period known as The Middle Passage. This year’s event is presented by Ashé Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 7:00am, beginning at Congo Square (701 N Rampart St.)

This year’s theme is Radiant Rhythms, an elevation of the power and resilience of African drums as symbols of strength and unity, story and sound, rhythm and joy. Each beat of an African drum tells a story, echoing the voices of ancestors who taught us to use them to communicate, celebrate, mourn, and inspire. Drums announce births, deaths, marriages, religious rites and rituals, and social and political events. They herald our coming to and our going from the land of the living, and every significant moment in between. Throughout history, as Africa experienced tragedy after tragedy at the hands of colonizers, the drums remained a steadfast connection to our sacred source.

MAAFA identifies historically-significant locations of New Orleans’ own history as a major slave market, such as Esplanade Avenue and The Tomb of the Unknown Slave in Tremé. In closing, we say the names of those enslaved and free, victims of tragic events, senseless violence, as well as all those who were, so that we might be.

All white attire is preferred. The local community and visitors are invited to attend this commemoration event of healing, testimony, and celebration of our ancestors, existence, and survival.

LIGHT DRUMMING
Led by Zohar Israel

DRUM CALL & ELDER’S PERMISSION TO BEGIN
Led by Frederick “Wood” Delahoussaye

KUMBUKA AFRICAN DRUM & DANCE COLLECTIVE 

OPENING LIBATION
Jamilah-Peters Muhammad

POEM
Sunni Patterson

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Grayhawk Perkins

WELCOME 
Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes

HISTORY OF CONGO SQUARE
Malik Bartholomew

PERFORMANCE
”Dance of Shango” by Andrea Peoples

CALL FOR HEALING 
Reverend Denise Graves

Reverend Ajani Gibson (St. Peter Claver Church)

Minister Willie Muhammad (Nation of Islam Mosque #46)

Laurita Harrison (Plantation Vodou)

Brother Reimoku (Buddhist)

Sunni Patterson & Jibril “Bean” Smith (IFA)

INTRODUCTION OF GRAND GRIOT
Introduced by Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes

Grand Griot: Big Chief Victor Harris of Fi Yi Yi

ANCESTRAL SALUTE
N’Kafu Traditional African Dance Company

PERFORMANCE
”Lift Every Voice and Sing” Solomon Matthews

PROCESSION TO THE RIVER

SITE HISTORY + ACTIVATIONS
Jyna Roots (Le Musée de f.p.c.)

Caren Green

St. Augustine Church Choir

Sha’Condria “Icon” Sibley

Naydja Cojoe

Sunni Patterson

Ed Wiltz

Watotos of Kumbuka

Nuisettes Noir Babydolls

RELEASE OF DOVES
Jamilah Peters-Muhammad