Update: 2nd Igbo Reconnection Ritual and Naming Ceremony!! 17 Sep 2011, Igbo Village in Staunton, VA

by African Traced Descendants of the Diaspora on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 10:19am

Masquerades fielded by WAWA United Organization of Chicago, USA

The 2011 Reconnection Program:

Reconnecting Peoples of African Descent Long Separated by the Transatlantic Slavery

For peoples of African descent in the Atlantic Diaspora long separated by the transatlantic slave trade, there will be a second annual Reconnection Program at the Igbo Farm Village in Staunton, VA. This year's program will begin with a visit to the former slave quarters in Monticello (Jefferson's Plantation) in the morning. This special event will take place on September 17th 2011. African-American Professor, Dr Vernon Grier (Chief Onwa) the Founder of The Cultural Education Institute for Innovative and Experimental Research is expected to attend. As an elder representing the descendants of the Igbo captives, he will be paired with an Igbo elder from Igboland. Together they will participate in a ceremony representing the reunification of Igbo brothers and sisters from both sides of the Atlantic. Joshua Ibn Ephrati the founder of Ephrati Enterprises which includes the Ephrati Trading Co and the African Cultural Organization Ephrati (Educating People on History, Race and African Tribal Identity) is also expected to attend.

There will also be a naming ceremony for all those who have recently identified their ethnicities through DNA. People from many African ethnic groups will have the opportunity to name those who identify with their nations.  Some would be encouraged to celebrate their namesakes.

For more information call Professor J. Akuma-kalu Njoku or Ticha Akuma (270) 320-3595, Mr. Eric Bryan (540) 332-7850, Naja Nzumafo Njoku nzumafo.njoku@gmail.com ,Naja is the person to contact for information regarding African names, or message Amir Ishaq Al-Sulaimani AKA Nwanne Di Namba Ndi Igbo on Facebook.

 

JAK

J. Akuma-Kalu Njoku, Ph.D.
Associate Floklore Professor,

Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology

Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd
Phone (270) 745-5907

http://www.ebonyionline.com/zz...inia-2010-09-18.html


Photo Source http://frontiermuseum.org/

Photo Source http://frontiermuseum.org/