On Tuesday, 25th May 2021, at 5:30 AM, in preparation for phase 1 of the Barbados Museum & Historical Society’s development work, in collaboration with The Offices of Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement Ministry of Culture, Prime Minister’s Office, an ancestral ceremony to bless the sacred land at Newton Plantation, Christ Church, Barbados was performed.
The order in which the ceremony was performed was in accordance with the order in which the enslaved encountered the different faiths.
The ceremony commenced with a drum call by the Isreal Lovell Foundation and Haynesville drummers, followed by a welcome by the Hon. Trevor Prescod, Special Envoy to Prime Minister on Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement while Dr Tara Inniss and Mr Kevin Farmer gave an overview of the Newton Plantation’s development work, the Introduction of the faiths was done by Olo-Ochosi Dr Deryck Murray, Director of the Centre for Hybrid Studies and Ile Ode Bi.
An African Traditional Spiritual Libation was performed by Fante King Obrempon Antwi Buaben XI The Odikro of Agona Bobikuma via Zoom from Ghana, the Muslim Ceremony was led by Imam Aakil Bhula whilst the Anglican Ceremony was led by Rev. Dr Michael A. Clarke, Principal at Codrington College. Dr John Hunte, Rev. King Shepherd of Isreal, Chairman of the council of Spiritual Baptist Churches of Barbados led the Ceremony for the Spiritual Baptist Community with Sister Keturah Babb leading the Rastafarian Ceremony. The Ethiopian Orthodox’s ceremony was led by Kes Amha Salassie Yaicob with the closing Orisha Ceremony led by Agba-Esusegun Olaifa of Egbe Orisha Ogun.
