Along the
African Diaspora Heritage Trail
African Diaspora Heritage Trail
Bermuda's African Diaspora Heritage Trail Initiative
Paradise island's plans to promote world-wide black heritage trails.
by Kitty J. Pope
The second International African Diaspora Heritage Trails
Conference held September 2006, co-chaired by actor/activist
Danny Glover and sponsored by the Bermuda Department of
Tourism brought together a stellar list of world-renowned scholars,
high-ranking government officials, African Diaspora cultural experts
and tourism specialists. The purpose of the conference was to come
up with ways to expand the awareness of the shared history and
culture of the people and countries of the African Diaspora. This
African Diaspora Heritage Trail (ADHT) initiated in 2002 by the late
(then) Minister of Tourism David Allen has continued to be guided
by the Bermudian Government under the leadership of the
Honorable Dr. Ewart Brown, Premier of Bermuda. The vision of the
ADHT initiative includes linking those people with heritage ties to
Africa due to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and preserving their
history and culture.
Sadly, some of the historical documents contain
examples of common forms of cruel punishment that
include severe whippings throughout the slavery
period. For many offenses, slaves were sometimes
executed; some were beheaded on Bermuda's
Cobbler's and Gibblet Island, where some sites of
executions have survived nearly untouched. One of
the most infamous cases of slave brutality in Bermuda's
history is that of Sarah (Sally) Bassett who suffered
unusual brutality at the hands of her owners. She was
later accused of poisoning them to death and
sentenced to be burned publicly at stake for this
alleged crime. The day she was burned was an
unusually hot day, and to this day people in Bermuda
call hot days a "regular Sally Bassett" day. Legend
persists that Bermuda's national flower, the
Bermudiana, grew out of her ashes. Bermuda is now
erecting a historical statue to commemorate her.
Like many other countries of the African Diaspora, Bermuda has continued to have strong heritage ties
to Africa due to the Transatlantic and Triangular slave trade. Aspects of the history, customs, culture and
experiences of the people of the African descent have been officially designated a UNESCO Slave Route
Project. Bermuda's ADHT initiative, serves as a model to inspire other countries of the African Diaspora to
revitalize and renew efforts aimed at identifying, conserving and promoting aspects of their black heritage
sites. Bermuda has restructured its own Africa Diaspora Heritage Trail open to the public and tourists.
to Africa due to the Transatlantic and Triangular slave trade. Aspects of the history, customs, culture and
experiences of the people of the African descent have been officially designated a UNESCO Slave Route
Project. Bermuda's ADHT initiative, serves as a model to inspire other countries of the African Diaspora to
revitalize and renew efforts aimed at identifying, conserving and promoting aspects of their black heritage
sites. Bermuda has restructured its own Africa Diaspora Heritage Trail open to the public and tourists.
Conference discussions centered around cultural tourism
and fostering long-term relationships between Bermuda, the
Caribbean, the Americas and African Nations. Goals of the
conference included coming up with ways to market tourism
activities related to ADHT in the international marketplace. Dr.
Brown, who also serves and Minister of Tourism explained that
the ADHT initiative endeavors to educate visitors, enhance the
economic viability of African Diaspora countries and conserve
the essence of African traditions and history. He said that there
is more to our African heritage than dress, fashion, changing
names and hairstyles. "Being an African is more than those
things, it is a method of thinking, it is an outlook and above all it
is a sense of history.” Featured guest speaker for the
conference was the Hon. Jerry John Rawlings, former President
of the Republic of Ghana. In addition to the workshops and
lectures, conference participants got to tour Bermuda, enjoy a
reception along with a sunset cruise, and attend the Taste of the
Diaspora Dinner that featured noted top chefs.
and fostering long-term relationships between Bermuda, the
Caribbean, the Americas and African Nations. Goals of the
conference included coming up with ways to market tourism
activities related to ADHT in the international marketplace. Dr.
Brown, who also serves and Minister of Tourism explained that
the ADHT initiative endeavors to educate visitors, enhance the
economic viability of African Diaspora countries and conserve
the essence of African traditions and history. He said that there
is more to our African heritage than dress, fashion, changing
names and hairstyles. "Being an African is more than those
things, it is a method of thinking, it is an outlook and above all it
is a sense of history.” Featured guest speaker for the
conference was the Hon. Jerry John Rawlings, former President
of the Republic of Ghana. In addition to the workshops and
lectures, conference participants got to tour Bermuda, enjoy a
reception along with a sunset cruise, and attend the Taste of the
Diaspora Dinner that featured noted top chefs.
Visitors interested in doing the ADHT in Bermuda must be
willing to take the bitter with the sweet. Starting with the
Bermuda Maritime Museum, visitors can examine the facts,
figures, and artifacts related to the chilling trans-Atlantic slave
trade displayed in a two-room exhibit at the museum. Then they
can continue on the heritage trail to learn about some of the
many accomplishments of Black Bermudians in different fields at
the island's only black history museum, the Bermudian Heritage
Museum founded in 1994. Open Tuesday through Saturday from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum also boasts of black achievements
in sports and music.
Other points of interest along Bermuda's African Diaspora
Heritage Trail include 1) Cobbs Hill Methodist Church, the oldest
existing Methodist building in Bermuda that slaves built by
moonlight; 2) Jeffery's Cave, a hideout where a slave named
Jeffery successfully eluded his masters for many weeks until he
was recaptured: 3) St. Peter's Church, the oldest Anglican
church where a historic slave graveyard is still intact; 4) Barry's
Bay Park, the landing site of the Enterprise slave ship, which
like the similar, better known, Amistad, involved the rescuing of
slaves who were seeking refuge, and 5) Figurehead, a memorial
on a dock for black Bermudian slaves who were lost at sea,
many of whom worked as crewman on ships or as whalers,
fisherman and pilots.
willing to take the bitter with the sweet. Starting with the
Bermuda Maritime Museum, visitors can examine the facts,
figures, and artifacts related to the chilling trans-Atlantic slave
trade displayed in a two-room exhibit at the museum. Then they
can continue on the heritage trail to learn about some of the
many accomplishments of Black Bermudians in different fields at
the island's only black history museum, the Bermudian Heritage
Museum founded in 1994. Open Tuesday through Saturday from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum also boasts of black achievements
in sports and music.
Other points of interest along Bermuda's African Diaspora
Heritage Trail include 1) Cobbs Hill Methodist Church, the oldest
existing Methodist building in Bermuda that slaves built by
moonlight; 2) Jeffery's Cave, a hideout where a slave named
Jeffery successfully eluded his masters for many weeks until he
was recaptured: 3) St. Peter's Church, the oldest Anglican
church where a historic slave graveyard is still intact; 4) Barry's
Bay Park, the landing site of the Enterprise slave ship, which
like the similar, better known, Amistad, involved the rescuing of
slaves who were seeking refuge, and 5) Figurehead, a memorial
on a dock for black Bermudian slaves who were lost at sea,
many of whom worked as crewman on ships or as whalers,
fisherman and pilots.
Whether doing a historic trail,
going to dine at one of the fine
eateries, or taking off to the beach for
some water adventure while in
Bermuda, you may get to encounter a
troupe of masked dancers wearing
colorful costumes moving in rhythm
to distinctive drums beats. These are
the Gombeys who owe some of their
decorations and trappings like
hatchets and bows and arrows to
Native American slaves from the 17th
and 18th centuries. However, most of
their customs and the artistry of their
dance is said to have been of African
origin. The Gombeys, followed by a
band of drummers can be observed
portraying biblical and other stories
through dance in the streets of
Bermuda at different times, especially
throughout the holidays.
going to dine at one of the fine
eateries, or taking off to the beach for
some water adventure while in
Bermuda, you may get to encounter a
troupe of masked dancers wearing
colorful costumes moving in rhythm
to distinctive drums beats. These are
the Gombeys who owe some of their
decorations and trappings like
hatchets and bows and arrows to
Native American slaves from the 17th
and 18th centuries. However, most of
their customs and the artistry of their
dance is said to have been of African
origin. The Gombeys, followed by a
band of drummers can be observed
portraying biblical and other stories
through dance in the streets of
Bermuda at different times, especially
throughout the holidays.
Now at the forefront of a worldwide movement for black heritage recognition, Bermuda's respect
for diversity continues to grow as the reality of multiculturalism is more widely accepted. While cultural
and heritage-related activities flourish on this paradise island where fun-in-the-sun, rest-n-relaxation,
and exotic island adventures are still the norm, Bermuda definitely has something of interest for
everyone, regardless of age or background. An ideal place for golfers, divers, honeymooners and
anyone looking for unforgettable beach experiences with a year-round mild semitropical climate,
Bermuda is any vacationer's dream. For more information on vacations and events visit
www.bermudatourism.com or 1 (800) - Bermuda.
for diversity continues to grow as the reality of multiculturalism is more widely accepted. While cultural
and heritage-related activities flourish on this paradise island where fun-in-the-sun, rest-n-relaxation,
and exotic island adventures are still the norm, Bermuda definitely has something of interest for
everyone, regardless of age or background. An ideal place for golfers, divers, honeymooners and
anyone looking for unforgettable beach experiences with a year-round mild semitropical climate,
Bermuda is any vacationer's dream. For more information on vacations and events visit
www.bermudatourism.com or 1 (800) - Bermuda.
ADHT-Bahamas
The Third International
ADHT Conference will be held
in Nassau, Bahamas, at the
beautiful Atlantis Resort in
Paradise Island, October 10th
-14th. The conference is
hosted by the Honorable Neko
Grant, Minister of Tourism and
the Government of Bahamas.
Conference presenters include
the Honorable Dr. Ewart
Brown, Premier of Bermuda
and Minister of Tourism; the
Honorable Doudou Diene, the
United Nations High
Commissioner for Human
Rights; Ms. Shirley Franklin,
Mayor of Atlanta and many
other dignitaries. To attend or
for more information, please
visit www.adht.net or contact
Henderson and Associates at
(301) 650-570
Beautiful Bermuda
Bermuda's Premier Dr. Ewart Brown (left) with
Rev. Erskine Simmons of Bright Temple African
Episcopal Church unveil the ADHT plaque in
Bermuda.
Rev. Erskine Simmons of Bright Temple African
Episcopal Church unveil the ADHT plaque in
Bermuda.
IABTW founder/ executive director Kitty J. Pope
(center) at the African Diaspora Heritage
conference with the Keynote speaker , the Hon
Jerry J. Rawlings, former president of Ghana
and wife.
(center) at the African Diaspora Heritage
conference with the Keynote speaker , the Hon
Jerry J. Rawlings, former president of Ghana
and wife.
Gombey dancers have become a cultural symbol of Bermuda's African
Diaspora Heritage Trail. With customs and artistry of their dance of
African origin, the Gombeys, can be observed performing in Bermuda at
different times during the year..
Diaspora Heritage Trail. With customs and artistry of their dance of
African origin, the Gombeys, can be observed performing in Bermuda at
different times during the year..
St. Peter's Church, the oldest Anglican
church in Bermuda and the location of a
historic slave graveyard
church in Bermuda and the location of a
historic slave graveyard
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