Students remember 'African Holocaust'

The sound of beating drums set the scene for yesterday's Maafa vigil, in which more than 100 members of the African-American community joined together to memorialize their ancestors. Maafa is the kiswahili word for "disaster" and the term used to described the millions of Africans who died under the yoke of European and American slavery. "Maafa: the African Holocaust Memorial," was "an attempt to unify African-based groups on campus," according to College sophomore Anika Francis. The students congregated on College Green and then began their walk to W.E.B. DuBois College House, singing and holding hands as they marched. At DuBois, the participants formed a circle and linked arms. Then, they lit a candle and poured wine -- part of a Congolese ritual, symbolizing their commitment to "never again" allow slavery to torment their community, according to College senior Sheila Boyd, chairperson of the event. Following a performance by the Penn Gospel Choir, Francis spoke about the importance of "strengthening our community." She emphasized the need to remember those who died in the African "holocaust." "No longer can we say they died in vain," she said. Francis said the vigil, the final of this week's four Maafa events, was a way for the African-American community to work together and display its "creativity and talent." "We must continue to struggle and continue to fight," she said. Graduate student Ghalieg Gross said in a speech that it is important to remember that the slaves "came together collectively against all odds." She said the African-American community must come together like its ancestors to be "united as one." Most participants said they were very satisfied with the event. "I thought it was nice," said visiting prospective student Aderonke Awe. "As a prospective student, I thought it was really nice how the African-American community is united." Boyd said she was very pleased by the success of the event. She added that she hopes this commemoration will become an annual occurrence. "It was very successful. We hope more people participate next year, though," she said. "Unless all [members of the African-American community] participate, I will never be satisfied and neither will our ancestors."

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