Recognizing the arduous journey from Africa to this continent during the slave trade, African-Americans have been going to the Atlantic Ocean for 35 years in order to pay tribute to the ancestors lost at sea.

Throughout the years, the ritual has expanded to include salutary commentaries to others who made their transitions here.
With fruits, flowers and ceremonial dancing and drumming, a daylong tribute dedicates pride in culture and heritage by the sea.

While spiritual activists reliably attend the Coney Island boardwalk activity, performers must be endeared to devote time and talent to the interactivity.

This is why People of the Sun Middle Passage is issuing a call to volunteer participants for the June 14 phenomenon.

Poets, dancers and singers are usually guaranteed attendees however, musicians — particularly drummers are being urged to carve out time for the noon to sundown gathering.

No auditions will be necessary.

Anyone interested in joining contributors should reach out to akeem476@gmail.com or call him at 718-659-4999.BAM partners for 48th annual heritage festCome rain or sunshine, on May 17, a one-hour Tribute To The Ancestors ceremony is slated for 10 am.

According to organizers, the first event to kickoff the 2025 Memorial Day weekend activities of transforming the streets to a global marketplace surrounding the Brooklyn Academy of Music (which for 47 years heralds the unofficial start of summer) a DanceAfrica partnership with Weeksville Heritage Center will continue the African tradition started by a Council of Elders of honoring the dead.

There will the traditional pouring of libation, roll-call of the names of the deceased, drumming and dancing to start the ritual.

The first outdoor ceremony begins a weekend of outdoor bazaar, an indoor dance salute to Mozambique, a late night dance party, films, a memorial room exhibition, food, and numerous cultural treats.

The all-inclusive, free ceremony is slated to be held at Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Ave.

A photo of the late Vena W. Baker behind a palm tree planted in her honor in the village of Komeda Edna Aguafil in the central region of Ghana. Photo courtesy Vinette K. Pryce

Ghanaians gather to pay homage to Jamaica/Panama Ancestor

In a village in Accra, Ghana, Africans paid tribute recently to Vena W. Baker who died May 24, 2024.

In the village of Komeda Edna Aguafil in the central region of Ghana, an adoptive Akan family planted a queen palm tree, toasted the ancestor, ate, drank in toasts to her legacy.

Hosted by Abraham Amihere, a native Baker met in 1992, the now married father of a 17-year-old daughter he named Little Vena, ceremoniously corralled admirers for a tribute.

Held on the eve of Mothers’ Day, (May 10) a joyous atmosphere seemed obvious from photos commemorating the event.

Amihere planted a queen palm that probably will grow to great heights in memory of an ancestor he inherited last year.
“She was my mum,” Amihere said. “I miss her so much.”

Allegedly, Baker met the then schoolboy while visiting the former Gold Coast. They apparently bonded.

Since then the two maintained communications with each trip she made to the black star, west African nation.

When Baker fell ill, a distraught Amihere expressed a desire to caretake the patient he called “mum.”

Unfortunately, he was unable to secure an emergency visa and missed attending the Harlem/Bronx home-going.

Since then, Amihere has been grieving his loss and wanted to pay tribute to the ancestor.

Vena W. Baker birthed this Insider in Jamaica.
She was born in Colon, Panama.

And although her life’s work focussed on nursing the sick at Montefiore Hospital, memberships to national heritage foundations (including charitable organization — such as those devoted to Native Americans) — one of Vena Baker’s most memorable accomplishments remains the loving relationship nurtured by Abraham Amihere in Accra, Ghana.

Trees planted in dedication to the ancestor were also planted in Jamaica, Grenada, Carriacou, Trinidad, Indonesia, throughout Florida and New York.Catch you On the Inside!