Diaspora visitors gather in Ghana to honor ancestors affected by slavery
The three-day ceremony at the Nkyinkyim Museum includes libations, offerings, drumming and dance, alongside reflection on identity and belonging.
African Americans and fellow diaspora visitors have come together in Nuhalenya, near Ada in Ghana, for three days of remembrance dedicated to ancestors affected by slavery and colonialism. The gathering at the Nkyinkyim Museum honors people whose identities and personal histories have been lost over generations.
Museum founder Kwame Akoto-Bamfo leads the ceremony, which combines offerings and libations with dance and drumming. He said the rituals were not a performance, but a way of restoring connections severed by slavery. Participants also share stories and reflect on the disruption caused by the transatlantic slave trade.
Subrina Starke, co-founder of the Diasporan WelHouse, described taking part as a homecoming rather than a tourist experience. She said being welcomed and participating in ancestral traditions helped address a feeling of something missing. Visitor Julian Yorke said his search for answers about his origins had brought him a sense of continuity and connection.
The gathering takes place amid Ghana’s push for reparatory justice. Efua Irene Agyeman Hin, another Diasporan WelHouse co-founder, said repair also involves everyday actions, including passing traditions to children and welcoming diaspora members, alongside discussions among governments.
