On Thursday 23rd August (Slavery Remembrance Day), AFRA visited the International Slavery Museum, which opened to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in Britain. AFRA received a grant from Blackpool SURF to arrange a visit to the new museum on its opening day.
In the morning, we visited:
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The International Slavery Museum: It is located in Liverpool's Albert Dock, at the centre of a World Heritage site and is only yards away from the dry docks where 18th century slave trading ships were repaired and fitted out.
The International Slavery Museum project was awarded £1.65 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund in November 2005. The new galleries at the International Slavery Museum feature thought-provoking displays about the story of the transatlantic slave trade. They include new displays about the legacy of transatlantic slavery and addresses issues such as freedom, identity, human rights, reparations, racial discrimination and cultural change. The displays also address ignorance and misunderstanding by looking at the deep and permanent impact of slavery and the slave trade on Africa, South America, the USA, the Caribbean and western Europe.
A second phase of the project, due to open in 2010, will include the development of a new visitor-focused education centre with an events programme of performance, public lectures and debate using the newly-acquired Dock Traffic Office. A research institute based in the museum is being developed in partnership with the University of Liverpool
- Amistad: The ship Amistad at the Albert Dock. Amistad: the Vessel for Change is a replica of the original ship that was commandeered by its African captives in 1839.
Africans being carried aboard the ship were led by fellow captive Joseph Cinque in a revolt against their captors. Their transport from Africa to America was illegal, and they were fraudulently described as having been born in Cuba. After the revolt, the Africans demanded to be returned home, but the ship’s navigator deceived them about their course, and sailed them north along the North American coast to New York. The ship was yaken into the custody of the US Navy and the Africans, who were deemed salvage from the vessel, were taken to be sold as slaves. There ensued a widely publicised court case about the ship and the legal status of the African captives. This incident figured prominently in the abolitionist movement. As a result, thirty five survivors return to Africa (Sierra Leone).
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In the afternoon, we attended the Remembrance Day events at Otterspool Promenade, to enjoy African-Caribbean food and to look at various activity stalls.
At 1pm, there was a Libation on the waterfront led by Chief Angus Chukuemeka and other local community leaders, This traditional African ceremony calls on the ancestors to bless the event. The offering of libation involves the pouring of water or wine in a special pattern while homage is paid to the ancestors.
Chief Angus Chukuemeka describes the ceremony:
"Every year since 1999, when the city first celebrated Slavery Remembrance Day, the event has begun with a libation at the Mersey waterfront. This libation is symbolic of the city's maritime history as a slave port.
Libation is a solemn African traditional ceremony, which symbolises the traditional African values of remembering, acknowledging and honouring our ancestors, elders and leaders.
Everyone in the audience is invited to take part. The libation ceremony does not exclude anyone.
The ceremony begins with the acknowledgement of those present, followed by a minutes silence in memory of the soul's of our departed enslaved brothers and sisters.
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A symbolic drink is given to the dignitaries and the leader of the ceremony begins an invocation. All join in pouring the drinks at every stage of the invocation.
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The leader of the invocation and the dignitaries consume what remains of the drinks. The rest of the drinks are then poured into the river as a symbolic gesture.
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The remaining kola-nuts are shared with the audience and this marks the end of the libation ceremony.
Sharing brings us closer to our ancestors. It is also a symbol of unity and harmony with ourselves, our ancestors and with God."
Later that day we saw a programme of performances from:
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Levi Tafari (Poet) |
Levi Tafari opened and closed the event with two specially-commissioned poems A Call to Remember and A Call to Act. |
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River Niger Orchestra |
The River Niger Orchestra performed in the first section of the event telling the story of the transatlantic slave trade before abolition in 1807. They told "The African Story" accompanied by dancers Maxine Brown and Lamin Dumbuya. |
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Sense of Sound |
Sense of Sound are a choir who sang gospel songs and spirituals taking us through the history of slavery in the American plantations beyond 1807..."The American Story". |
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Young Kof |
"The Legacy Now": Rapper Young Kof performed songs focussing on the contemporary resonances of slavery, concluding with a specially-written Liverpool Legacy Rap. |
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Nicola Gardner, Michael
Chapman and Everal Walsh |
The performances were set into context with readings from contemporary sources. |
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