SpiritMaa

early saturday morning in new orleans. walking to congo square - we hear the drums calling up the ancestors... the ones who sang and danced here every sunday during slave times (and birthed something new)... will they help us with the ritual today?

everyone in white, sun beating down... we gather to send love and healing to the ones who died in the middle passage - the ones who jumped overboard and the ones who perished in the hold - and the ones who somehow survived and made it possible for many to be here today...ashe welcomes us, calling us altogether... the children dance their prayers, the singer calls the orishas to bless the ritual... multi-faith we are - christian voices rising in solidarity, buddhists chanting their support, muslims calling a benediction down from allah... and then the drums start again, and the haitians move in circle, dancing their trance, calling down the spirits to guide and bless the ones who suffered so... the witness trees are honored, the wandering souls are danced and drummed into healing... the loa come and ride the waves of energy... then the indian chief speaks his native tongue - calling the four directions, blessing all our relations - reminding us of the days when the natives took in the africans fleeing the whip, and the healing power of the trees who witnessed all.... call and response - all our voices raised together to heal and love the ones who withstood so much....

we follow the drums out of congo square to the tomb of the unknown slave, where chains cross and manacles rust with the blood of so many... we walk in the treme, we walk in the french quarter, we walk and we walk and we walk in remembrance and healing for the ancestors of new orleans....

or click this link to see maafa video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLatQId1fww