Today I Visited My Ancestors

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Lotus

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African Burial Mound National Monument. NYC, USA. 17 October 2015. The mounds in the foreground are some of the seven mounds representing the 419 reinterred Africans resting 25 feet below them. Click on the photo to see a larger version.
African Burial Ground National Monument. NYC, USA. 17 October 2015. The mounds in the foreground are some of the seven mounds representing the 419 reinterred Africans resting 25 feet below them.

Somehow I have lived in New York City for over a decade without knowing about the African Burial Ground National Monument in downtown Manhattan. I agreed to meet a friend there today for a tour.

I was not prepared to come face to face with physical evidence (burial mounds) of the remains interred there. In honor of my ancestors I removed my knapsack, knelt in front of them for a few moments, and silently wept. I may never know exactly what tribes or countries my people come from in Africa, but here in my own city was a direct link between me and my distant ancestral land. I was and remain in awe.

"For all those who were lost. For all those who were stolen. For all those who were left behind. For all those who were not forgotten." African Burial Ground National Monument, NYC, USA.
“For all those who were lost. For all those who were stolen. For all those who were left behind. For all those who were not forgotten.” African Burial Ground National Monument, NYC, USA.
"Burial 328 - Woman between forty and fifth years.
“Burial 328 – Woman between forty and fifty years.”
Ancestral libation chamber.
Ancestral libation chamber.
Seven burial mounds over the seven crypts containing 419 reinterred Africans.
Seven burial mounds over the seven crypts containing 419 reinterred Africans.
Burial 99 - Child between six and ten years.
“Burial 99 – Child between six and ten years.”
From inside the ancestral libation chamber.
From inside the ancestral libation chamber.
The park ranger who gave us a tour and the history of the burial ground.
The park ranger who gave us a tour and the history of the burial ground.

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