Help us Fund the National Black United Front 14th Annual Sankofa: Caravan to the Ancestors
The National Black United Front's Sankofa: Caravan to the Ancestors is one of the
premier Afrikan ancestral remembrance ceremonies in the U.S. I.Donations and/or ,
sponsorships are needed to make this year's caravan even more a
success. Donations of "any" amount are accepted and appreciated.
This year's Caravan is scheduled for October 13-15 , the theme is R.A.P. (Revolutionizing African People), It will have a strong youth focus, be supportive of the International Year for People of African Descent (IYPAD) , and place strong emphasis on outreach to Africans from the continent and throughout the diaspara
The purpose of the Sankofa: Caravan to the Ancestors is as follows:
Give Praise & Thanksgiving to the Almighty Creator
Give Praise & Thanksgiving to our Holy African Ancestors
Educate our community on African and African diasporic Spirituality, History and Culture
Invoke the power of our spiritual traditions for blessings on our community in all worthy endeavors
All Faiths Are Welcome , Wear White for Spirit
Sankofa
is a word from the Akan people of West, Africa which means : Go Back To
Your Past and bring to the present, past values needed now. Often the
concept of Sankofa is symbolized by a mythical bird which moves forward
while looking backward. Certain depictions of the Sankofa bird shows an
egg being held within its beak symbolizing the future of those yet to
be born, if the egg is held too tight then it will break, if the egg is
held too loose then it will fall. One must move forward while gaining
wisdom from the past and exacting the proper balance in preparation for
the future. The Caravan makes the Sankofa connection through prayer,
ritual, African drumming and dancing, speakers and martial arts.
Research
reveals that Galveston beach was a port of entry for our enslaved
African ancestors. The Moor Estevanico or Esteban came to the shores of
Galveston as a servant, navigator and guide to Portuguese explorers in
the year 1528. It is recorded that in the 1780 's reports traffic in
enslaved Africans flourished by way of Morgan's Point across the bay
from Galveston Island. This barbaric practice of profiting from human
cargo was plentiful in Galveston for many years with slave traders
skillfully circumventing laws banning the uncivilized practice. Further,
Galveston, Texas is the place where General Gordon Granger delivered
his decree of the emancipation of Africans held in slavery on these
shores on June 19, 1865. Hence, the commemoration of the Juneteenth Holy
Day. The spirit and history of our ancestors truly dwells in Galveston,
therefore there are many values, which we can bring forth for our use
today.
Caravan History - In 1998, NBUF - Houston hosted the
18th National Black United Front National Convention; The theme of the
convention was Sankofa. Planning for the convention , members suggested a
retreat to Galveston. Research was done to uncover little known history
of Afrikans in Galveston and Texas. A decision was made to hold an
ancestral remembrance , including performing an IFA ritual in honor of
our "Holy Afrikan Ancestors". the location chose is near a market where
our ancestors were bartered for and sold as chattel On the day of the
1st caravan. Professor James Small declared the day of remembrance to be
a holy day that should be commemorated annually.
A key part of the
event is an actual police escorted caravan from Houston to Galveston As
many as 100 vehicles have participated over the years.
A
decision was made later to move the actual date of the caravan to mid
October for better weather conditions. October is also seen by many
African descendants as the month of the Maafa or Afrikan Holocasut
month.
The Sankofa: Caravan to the Ancestors is open to all faith traditions and we urge attendees to wear white in support of African spiritual traditions. There will be two days of activities October 13-14 prior to the Ceremony in Galveston, which take place in Houston, Texas. Further information regarding the two days activities will be forthcoming.
We need your support to make this year's caravan a superior experience
You can help by:
Confirming by email , facebook message or phone that you will attend and the number of people in your group.
Suggesting the caravan experience to other individuals and organizations
Making donations online via indie gogo or by contacting NBUF. ( no donations are too small)
Sponsoring the caravan
Attending organizing meetings
Helping to promote the caravan by forwarding the info to others via email, facebook , lists, blogs , other social networking sites, promoting it in newspapers or on radio shows and word of mouth.
Donate by sending a check or money order to
NBUF
Caravan Fund
2428 Southmore
Houston, Texas 77004
Email - nbufhouston@gmail.com
Phone - 713-402-8052
