20th Annual Tribute to the Ancestors of the Middle Passage, 2009

Here are some images from the annual Tribute to the Ancestors of the Middle Passage, an annual event that takes place on the second Saturday in June in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Similar ceremonies take place around the globe from Africa to Brazil to South Carolina. The annual tribute is in remembrance of the tens of millions of Africans who, after being kidnapped from their homeland, died during the voyage across the Atlantic – the Middle Passage – and their bodies were plunged into the Atlantic Ocean, which was to become the largest African burial ground in the world.

The ceremonies involve singing, dancing, prayer, worship, and drumming all day long. At sunset, a procession moves to the ocean where offerings of flowers, rhum, honey, and fruit are made.

It was a rainy, densely overcast day this year which made photographing a challenge, but that did not stop worshipers including myself from gathering to pay tribute to the ancestors of the Middle Passage. It tuns out the rain was not rain at all, but an anointing and blessing from the heavens---or so the faithful believe.

Click on any image to enlarge and feel free to post comments or reflections! Enjoy!




































































Where ocean meets sky.


Dedicated to memory of Bill Harmon, Larry Knight and Neal Collins...all whom are now ancestors and watch over me.

The Transition of a Hibiscus Flower

Stages of Water

Each month or so, my photoclub (www.fgpo.org) members come up with a theme to shoot images to post on our blog (fgpo.blogspot.com). Last month was YELLOW, and we had an exhibition around that theme. Before that was BROWN PAPER BAG. Quircky, yes, but it really is challenging for me at times to shoot images that are particularly outside of the norm.

This month the theme is WATER. Here are a few of my interpretations:









Visit fgpo.blogspot.com for interpretations from other members of the Fort Greene Photography Organization!

Bead of water

Specimens from our garden II

Flowers in bloom and decay...exploring texture.

Click on any inage to enlarge!

Specimen's from our garden, May 2009

Here are some plant specimens from me and k's rooftop garden. Rather than just photograph the plant in full form, i decided to go for a more abstract perspective. Click any image to enlarge and enjoy! Spring is in the air!



Space



Watercolor--Ocean's (tidal) wave.



Purple



Vein (filled with blood)



Skin



Bell



Jax



Prickly head



Purple II



Graduation



Ancient sun



Three



Winged



Birds in flight