History sails into Halifax
Floating symbol of victory over slavery helps mark Africville celebration
By PAUL EVEREST

ADVERTISEMENT

One of the ships anchored in Halifax Harbour is an icon for the descendents of African settlers in Nova Scotia and a backdrop for a conversation between cultures about their shared heritage.

The Freedom Schooner Amistad arrived in Bedford Basin on Sunday afternoon and was met with the sounds of traditional gospel music from Seaview Park, the site of the historical black settlement of Africville. The ship’s presence offered an exclamation mark to the Africville Genealogy Society’s annual homecoming picnic and church service.

Lezlie States attends the event every year, but the singing, feasting and reminiscing were that much more significant with the Amistad nearby because her 15-year-old son, Ryan, had the opportunity to join its crew as it journeyed from Connecticut to Nova Scotia.

"I think it’s something that he’ll never forget," she said, explaining that Ryan and two other boys, Shacawn Clayton, 15, and Jeremy Tolliver, 15, relived what the original ship’s occupants went through. "He slept where they slept."

The trio will share their experiences with schoolchildren, seniors and their friends, Ms. States said.

"What they’re going to do is take these three youths and have them go into our communities and talk to the communities and let them know about this story."

The original La Amistad became famous in 1839 after 53 Africans were kidnapped from West Africa and taken to Cuba. While being moved across the Caribbean Sea, they revolted and took control of the ship under a 25-year-old rice farmer named Sengbe Pieh. More than 60 days later, the ship was found and towed by an American cutter to Connecticut where the Africans were charged with mutiny and murder. Former U.S. president John Quincy Adams successfully argued their case before the United States Supreme Court and, in 1841, 35 survivors were returned to Africa.

The recreation, a Baltimore topsail schooner, was built in Mystic Seaport, Conn., between 1998 and 2000. Up to 24 people worked on the ship at any given time during those two years, including shipwrights, electricians and riggers, many of whom volunteered their time.

Wayne Bartow of New York helped build and sail the Amistad during its inaugural voyage to New York harbour with the Tall Ships parade in 2000. For him, the ship is a platform for a conversation to bridge many different cultures.

"What we need to do is tell the truth about history and this is part of beginning to tell the truth," he said, adding that the Amistad and the story behind it can reveal to people that diversity does not have to be negative.

"It really is OK to be different, but we have to understand that these differences don’t make us enemies."

Mr. Bartow is also part of the Amistad Committee, an offshoot of the original group that helped the captives return to Africa in the 1840s. The ship’s arrival in Nova Scotia, he said, helps shed light on an important connection between the province and the Amistad story, since it was freed slaves from Nova Scotia who helped establish Freetown in West Africa’s Sierra Leone in 1792.

"It’s a wonderful continuation of the relationship," he said, adding he hopes that the people of Nova Scotia, especially younger people, take advantage of the lessons the ship can offer in promoting strong black identities.

"The ship and the story really belong to the public," he said. "If children are not involved in these activities, we’ve missed our opportunity."

The Freedom Schooner Amistad left Africville late Sunday afternoon for a nine-day stay at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic on the Halifax waterfront where people can tour the ship.

The public can also participate Tuesday in ceremonies marking Freedom Day, which marks the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833.

( peverest@herald.ca)
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/519050.html