|
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 12:17 PM
Subject: [Mwananchi] Reburial: Volunteers Needed BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND In 1991, during the construction of a Federal office building at 290 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, excavators unearthed the largest colonial-era cemetery for enslaved Africans in America. Archeologists carefully exhumed human remains and artifacts from the construction site for scientific and historical research. For the previous 200 years, other parts of the five-acre burial ground, where approximately 20,000 Africans were buried, had been disregarded while buildings, streets and parking lots were constructed over the site. The remains and artifacts exhumed in 1991 have been the subject of scholarly research by noted archeologists, anthropologists, historians and the community of interested individuals. Scientific and historical studies lost momentum during the 1990s causing the reburial to be deferred. In 2002, an effort was made to reinvigorate the studies and facilitate the timely and dignified return of the human remains and artifacts to their final resting place at the African Burial Ground. The scientific and historical studies have documented the important stories of the life, culture and heritage of these enslaved Africans whose labor contributed to the building of New York and other American cities while being forced to cope with the most oppressive conditions. Now, in accordance with the rich traditions of African culture, the ceremonies for the Rites of Ancestral Return will be conducted, concluding with the solemn reburial at the African Burial Ground. The ceremonies will be held in New York City that are representative of the experiences and contributions of enslaved Africans in America. Below is the following information: A) Volunteer needs from African-American organizations and/or individuals to actively participate in this important event. B) Contact information, and C) The agenda for the 2-Day ceremony in New York City (in Lower Manhattan) Hope to see you at this important event!!!! 1 - NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is in dire need of African-American organizations and/or individuals to volunteer and actively participate in this important event (for a few or many hours) in the following areas: i. MARSHALS: responsibilities entail 1) participating in the funeral procession by directing pedestrian traffic flow and ensuring order and safety from the corner of Wall and South Street to African Burial Ground located at the corner of Duane Street and Broadway 2) ensuring the barrier is maintained from the audience and stage area during the ceremonies at the Wall Street and African Burial Ground (ABG) site areas ii. USHERS: responsibilities entail 1) distributing programs at the ceremonies, 2) directing dignitaries and others to the VIP seating Area 3) collecting tickets for the seating area iii. WATER STATION REPRESENTATIVES: responsibilities entail providing water bottles to pedestrians in specified areas along the funeral ceremony walking traffic route iv. FLAG CARRIERS: carrying flags that represent each country that is part of the African Diaspora on the ceremonial walking route and during the actual ceremonies at the Wall Street and ABG site areas PLEASE NOTE: GROUP ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS ARE WELCOME TO VOLUNTEER AND CAN VOLUNTEER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS B. TELEPHONE CONTACT INFORMATION To find out how to participate in this event or volunteer, Call: 212-491-2040 C. AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND CEREMONY AGENDA The funeral procession will transport four coffins containing the remains of one adult male, one adult female, one male child, and one female child (which are representative of the 419 deceased) as follows: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2003 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 11:00 a.m. Flotilla Arrival Ceremony, embark at the foot of Wall Street, New York's colonial slave market 12:15 p.m. Procession to the African Burial Ground Memorial Site 1:00 p.m. Viewing and Vigil at African Burial Ground Memorial Site SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2003 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10:00 a.m. Vigil ends 10:30 a.m. Procession from Surrogate Courthouse to Foley Square 11:00 a.m. Tribute Ceremony at Foley Square 1:00 p.m. Reburial Ceremony at the African Burial Ground Memorial Site Laura Rice Associate Director Institute of African-American Affairs New York University ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 269 Mercer Street, Suite 601 Mail Code: 0846 New York, NY 10003 Phone: 212-998-2134 Fax: 212-995-4109 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Since its inception in 1969, the Institute of African-American Affairs at New York University has been a vibrant cultural community center dedicated to research, documentation, and the celebration of Black culture and creative expressions. Both the Institute and its affiliate, the NYU Africana Studies Program in the Faculty of Arts and Science, are committed to the study of Blacks in modernity through concentrations in Pan-Africanism and Black Urban Studies. These distinct organizations share staff and facilities. Forward Ever (by any means necessary)! Karen C. Aboiralor
The Mwananchi Group welcomes your opinion on diverse issues affecting us Africans. To join us click http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/mwananchi Visit Aids-Africa at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/aids-africa on hiv/aids related discussions. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. |
