| African
Cemetery Acknowledgement and Consecration Ceremony |
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the picture to see a larger version. May take time to download.
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A
view from the volleyball court shows the fence being built
around the African burial site.
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County
workers erect a temporary fence around the site in preparation
for the press conference.
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MFMHS
Director Madeleine Burnside and County Commissioner Dixie
Sperhar discuss the history
of the site prior to the dedication. |
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Director of
Archaeology Corey Malcom gives a brief history of the site and
explains the process and results of the Ground Penetrating Radar
Survey before introducing the two speakers of the dedication. |
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Prince
Adegbolu Adefunmi sprinkles water on the ground over the site
while performing an ancient
African ceremony honoring and remembering the dead.
Prince Adefunmi performed the ceremony mainly in
“Yoruba”, an African language from the region where the
Africans buried at the site originated.
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Local
Reverend and African Memorial Committee Member William McKinzie, performs a ceremony in English before leading all in
attendance in a prayer for those buried at the site. |
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MFMHS
Staff, local and national media, African Memorial Committee
Members and interested citizens made the turn-out for the
dedication a huge success |
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After
the dedication Rev. McKinzie is interviewed by local journalist
and Monroe County Press liaison, Carol Shaughnessy. |
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From
Left to Right: Prince Adegbolu Adefunmi, Corey Malcom, County
Commissioner Dixie Spehar and Rev. William McKinzie. |
Evidence
for the African Cemetery at Higgs Beach, Key West, Florida
African
Cemetery Survey Photographs
Consecration
and Acknowledgement Ceremony, Sept. 16, 2002
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