HAMPTON, Va. — This weekend, Hampton will commemorate the first forced landing of enslaved Africans to English North America more than 400 years ago.
“We come together in August to commemorate the ancestors and let them know we haven’t forgotten,” said Larry Gibson, a Project 1619 board member.
Their stories are still being told today. The African Landing Commemorative Weekend returns to Hampton in collaboration with Project 1619, Fort Monroe Authority, Fort Monroe National Monument, Fort Monroe Foundation, William Tucker 1624 Society, City of Hampton and Hampton Convention & Visitors Bureau.
They’re remembering the moment when the first ship carrying enslaved Africans landed at Point Comfort, now known as Fort Monroe, in 1619.
“I consider that to be one of the most heinous…most inhumane thing that has ever happened to a people on the planet,” said Gibson.
However, Gibson said that’s only half the story.
“As one group of people talk about slavery to now," he said. "Our thing is to talk about slavery to Africa.”
He adds it's also to build connections overseas like with Angola where many Angolans were taken from their home to Virginia. Friday morning, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Angola spoke to the community in Hampton discussing the country’s deep culture and the relationship being built here.
“Making the ties with Angola is bridging the gaps and shrinking that ocean, the Atlantic Ocean that has separated us for so many years,” said Wanda Tucker, a descendant of two of the first enslaved Africans to land at Point Comfort in 1619.
Events continue on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. That's when there will be a Soil Blending Ceremony at Fort Monroe. There will be a Remembrance and Reflection at 11 a.m.
Then on Sunday, there will be a Healing and Cleansing Ceremony at Outlook Beach beginning at 6 a.m.