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1/25/2011 
SIERRA LEONE LINKED TO CARRIACOU  
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Hillsborough, Carriacou, January 24, 2011- Although more than 200 years have passed since enslaved Africans were taken to Carriacou on the brutal Middle Passage, the people of Carriacou have never forgotten their African homeland. They continue to celebrate their African heritage through the famous "Big Drum Dance". Now research by Grenadian historian John Angus Martin and American Joseph Opala has found that a group of people here can identify with a small tribe in West Africa, the Temne of Sierra Leone. This year, Sierra Leone is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence. It is hoped that a group of Carriacouans will pay a visit to their ancestral land to participate in the Sierra Leone celebrations. Discussions have already started in preparation for this important and historic event. Martin, Opala and Cynthia Schmidt, an American ethnomusicologist who has extensive experience in Sierra Leone, met with Minister for Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, Senator George Prime, and Acting Permanent Secretary, Javan Williams. The trio who was accompanied to the meeting by well known Big Drummer and dancer Winston Fleary, said the people of Sierra Leone will be ecstatic to see the Temne cultural performances of Carriacou. Minister Prime said the planned visit to Sierra Leone will open an important link with the African nation, creating new possibilities especially in cultural tourism. The proposed itinerary of the Sierra Leone trip includes meetings with Temne Paramount Chiefs and visits to rural villages, where centuries’ old traditions are maintained. They will also get the opportunity to visit Bunce Island where Africans were held before the ships brought them to Carriacou. The Temne are the second largest ethnic group in Sierra Leone, numbering over two million. By Deanna Isaac Carriacou
 

 


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SIERRA LEONE LINKED TO CARRIACOU  
12 Pgs
Yup, that'll do it. You have my appceriation.
00By: Jessalyn
7/8/2011 11:57:21 PM
With the bases loaded you struck us out with that aswenr!
00By: Gracelynn
7/6/2011 8:58:27 PM
Salim, I partly agree with you because there wasn't going to be any supply for the slaveholders demand. A real united and patriotic African Community would have been a force to reckon with. However, the Europeans were very well armed and vicious and wouldn't have mind killing more Africans to support their thirst for riches. I believe those low lives (slave traders) also used the bible to commit their brutal acts. With regards to Independence, I totally agree. The closest Grenada got to Independence was between 1979-1983, that's my opinion. We may even have gone backwards over the years because I notice even Fort Rupert was renamed Fort George. Honoring who? For what? I hope that one day Grenada will be truly Independent. Forward Ever.
00By: Joe
2/11/2011 5:08:01 PM
Joe, nough respect for your research and further explanation on the topic. However, the Muslims (first to enslaved our people) and the European traders and slaver traders could not have been successful if some of our people did not buy into the money laundering and economy of slavery. Take a look at our country. We tend to celebrated September 7 as Independence Day. Can you really expalin to me what that phrase really mean to Grenadians...Grenada heavily taxed for its independence...an ever reliance on Britain. Those who fought for such a quasi-independent state only did so for their own personal gains. They did not have the country's interest at heart. Britain was more than willing to release Grenada because it's no longer prifitable to her...still a burden to her.
00By: salim
2/11/2011 7:50:03 AM
Salim, I agree, Some African leaders (some) sold Africans into slavery. The problem I am having is that the Western Press curningly try to make folks believe that it was the only way Africans were enslaved. Caucasians always try to justify their opposition to reparation for slavery by using that story "African Leaders sold their people into slavery therefore why should we be responsible.....?" Unfortunately, some folks (I am not saying you, Salim) drink that cool aid and fall for that LIE. THATS A BIG WHITE LIE IN THE TRUE SENSE. The Europeans came to Africa and met heavy resistance organized by African leaders as soon as slavery began. Therefore they (the Europeans) armed themselves heavily, set up fortresses, barracoons, forts etc. throughout the continent to protect themselves from the numerous attacks led by African leaders. Those struggles went on for centuries. When the first navigators reached the coast of Mauritania in 1441 and Senigal in 1444, they were met with hostility and reprisals. Explorer Alvise Ca'Damosto was also attacked on the River Gambia in 1454. Some African learers worked extremely hard against the transatlantic slave trade. A famous one was Abdel Kader Kane, leader of the Futa Toro region in Northern Senegal. Kane successfully retook his people who were kidnapped using heavy force although the Europeans had superior weapons. He also forbid slave caravans from passing through his territory. Kane boldly warned the French in writing, after they kidnapped three children from Futa that any slave trader who come to their land Futa will be killed and massacred. Other resistances include the attack on Fort Saint-Joseph on the Senegal River where slave trading was interrupted for six years. The crews of quite a few slave ships were also killed on the River Gambia: in Sierra Leone, captives' quarters were sacked or raided and many captives were freed. Written records document how hundreds of ships were attacked along the African coast. King Ansah of Ghana (1470-1486) organized the Fante people to watch for European ships and prevent them from coming ashore. Many other African Leaders did not permit Europeans in their kingdoms. In Benin, the Europeans were killed as soon as they came ashore. Among the countries that heavily resisted the slave trade were Senegal, Ghana, Bernin, Nigeria and Angolia. In 1787, the Senegal King of Alammy, passed a law that made it illegal to take enslaved Africans through his Kingdom. To let (1470-1800) Europeans knew how serious the law was, the king returned the presents that the French traders sent as bribes. Queen Nzingha of Angolia fought a successful 30- year war against the Portugese slave traders until the Portugese negotiated a treaty with her in 1656. The treaty remained in effect until she died in 1663. It's very sad to see decendants of Africans clinging to the theory that African Leaders sold Africans into slavery and not mentioning about the many African leaders who fought vehemently to protect their people. The Europeans PURPOSELY keep feeding that side of the story to dumb down black folks. They never mention the superior weapons they used during their atrocity kidnapping Africans. Brothers and sisters, Europeans always present information for their own benefit. Following their theory is like asking a thief if he stole your belongings after he stole it. The following sources provide a wealth of information on this topic: Fighting the Slave Trade: West African Strategies by Sylviane A. Diouf and published by Ohio University Press & James Currey Publishers, African Resistance to Slavery by African Prince Newbie, African Speaks.com and the Canadian Journal of History. Please remember that there are two sides to a coin. Lets look at both sides and arrive at our own conclusion.
00By: Joe
2/9/2011 12:19:05 AM