Summer is slowly coming to a close. I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather we’ve been having by attending the 28th annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival held at the Annapolis City Dock in Maryland. It was a perfect day to participate in the festival. Annapolis is the capital of Maryland as well as the home of the United States Naval Academy. As a result many tourist visit Annapolis. Annapolis is a typical college town. You can spend the day exploring the tiny shops and restaurants peppered throughout the area.
Church Circle Port is where Kunta Kinta was sold into slavery.
The Dock of Downtown Annapolis
The festival was free to all. It was an opportunity for people to explore the cultural heritage of the African experience. There were interactive arts and craft activities for children. There were live music and dance performed by the local artist of the area.
The festival is in honor of the slave Kunta Kinte. In 1976 Alex Haley wrote “Roots.” Roots is a famous novel that captured the history of Haley’s maternal family. West Africa was Kunta Kinta’s homeland. Records trace the voyage of his middle passage on the ship of The Lord .Ligonier 250 years ago. The ship left a port somewhere on the Gambia River in West Africa then months later arrived in a port very close to Annapolis. Consequently life changed for the passengers on the ship. Slavery became Kunta Kinta’s life once he arrived in America.
ABC adapted the book into a miniseries in 1977 to a record-breaking audience of 130 million viewers. Alex Haley became an instant celebrity because the miniseries was so popular. Hence Alex Haley is recognized all over the world. Alex Haley visited the site in Annapolis in which Kunta Kinte was brought to America and described it as a very emotional experience.
In addition a statue has been erected depicting Alex Haley reading a story to young children sitting at his feet on the dock in downtown Annapolis. Furthermore Alex Haley is a fifth generation ancestor to Kunta Kinte. Alex continues to share the story of his forefather Kunta Kinte to the next generation.
The festival represented a commitment to the remembrance of the cultural heritage of African Americans, Africans, and Caribbean people of African descent. People of African descent lost ties to there native land.
Annapolis has some of the most historic hotels in Maryland.
This Inn dates back to the 18th century.
It was refreshing to see men, women, and children coming together as one enjoying the many dimensions of African American Culture. The soulful music made the crowd happy. There were smiles and laughter as people engaged in conversations with each other.
You could literally walk from the dock and cross the circle and have a selection of stores, shops, and restaurants to choose from. A few doors up from the restaurants and shops is the Maryland Inn one of the most historic hotels in Maryland. The State Board of Education is located in the area. A few blocks away from the dock is the Naval Academy and the Maryland State House. Annapolis is a perfect place to spend the day sightseeing, shopping, and getting a bite to eat.
In addition the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival gave me an opportunity to appreciate multiple aspects of African American Culture. We have a rich history and we have contributed a great deal to this country. In conclusion this festival was great.