American Africans United| 15825 Shady Grove Rd. Ste 30, Rockville, MD 20850| www.aauone.org

American Africans United host

PILGRIMAGE Of SANKOFA

Ghana- 2019 (RETURN TO OUR ROOTS)

Elmina Castle, Ghana

Contact Information

Dr. Yvette Butler-Yeboah

Ghana: +233-557-385982

U.S.A: 240-678-5480/301-7794252

CHECK WEBSITE FOR MONTHLY & 400 YEARS CELEBRATION TRIPS

Current Trip Dates: January 17 – February 2, 2019

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The Power of Sankofa

Sankofa is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana (Gold Coast).

The literal translation of the word and the symbol is “it is not taboo to

fetch what is at risk of being left behind.”

The word is derived from the

SAN (return), KO (go), FA (look, to claim, seek and take).

The symbol — shown above — is based on a mythical bird with its feet firmly planted

forward with its head turned backwards. Thus, the Akan believe the past serves as a guide

for planning the future. To the Akan, it is this wisdom in learning from the past which

ensures a strong future.

The pilgrimage of Sankofa is created to allow the African people in diaspora a place which

they can claim their heritage and journey to the motherland, Africa. The pilgrimage will enable

Africans from the diaspora to take part in a trip that has a moral and/or spiritual significance for

them. The journey will include visiting the Wall of Remembrance, entering the Doors of

Return, much more ceremonial events. It can also represent a metaphorical journey into one's

own beliefs. Many of the places identified have a spiritual importance attached for the African

people in the diaspora and can transform one’s life forever. A spiritual awakening of their

connection to the motherland will allow Africans from the diaspora to reconnect with their

ancestral roots.

AAU anticipates that this pilgrimage will embody a new beginning for Africans from the

diaspora to continually find homage within themselves, for their fellow African brother and

sister, and become the start of a new era of UNITY.

1. It has been written - “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will

be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated

there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out

with great possessions. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here

(home)”. This saying is a prophetic word for the African people in diaspora. The year

The first slave ship left the coast of Gold Coast (Ghana) and arrived at the coast of

Jamestown, Virginia, USA in the year 1619. In the year 2019 will be 400 years the first

slaves from coast of Gold Coast (Ghana) arrived at the coast of Jamestown, Virginia,

USA.

2. To all African people in diaspora, the pilgrimage of Sankofa has been established to

encourage us to take the first step to know our roots or heritage. As Jews have Jerusalem

and the Dead Sea, Moslems have Mecca and Medina, African people in diaspora have the

Pilgrimage of Sankofa (a journey back to our ancestral land) i.e. Cape Coast, Elmina and

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Assin Manso in Ghana.

3. Cape Coast and Elmina in Ghana then Gold Coast harbor some of the slave caves in

which the slave masters called Castles and Forts with the “DOORS OF NO RETURN

have become the “DOORS OF RETURN” for Africans of the diaspora to reclaim their

heritage. Assin Manso has the river of the Last Bath for slaves and the WALL of

RETURN

4. The pilgrimage of Sankofa allows an African in diaspora to take the same journey his or

her ancestors took and return to the motherland, by going through the same doors and

dipping themselves in the same river they had their last bath before they were shipped to

unknown lands.

TRIP:

Day 1- Jan 19: Arrival at Koforidua, Effidause, where GapBuster Ghana is located.

Day 2- Jan 20: In the morning we will pick you up in an air-conditioned vehicle from your

Koforidua location. Start with a visit at beautiful Aburi Botanical Gardens close to Accra, one of

the most peaceful sites in the area. Continue to Aburi Craft Market to view local handicrafts and

enjoy the busy marketplace. Then visit Boti falls on our way back.

Aburi Botanical Gardens

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Boti Falls

Day 3- Jan 21: GapBuster Ghana Inaugural and Ribbon-Cutting ceremony with Durbar.

Effiduase Chief at a Durbar with school kids in attendance

Day 4- Jan 22: After your breakfast at Koforidua, we will drive to do a short hike through the

beautiful forest in the Butterfly Sanctuary, an eco-tourism center close to Kumasi. Then continue

your journey to Tamale, capital of the Northern region where we will stay. Visit Tamale Palace

and the Central Mosque. Take a walk around the National Cultural Center where you will find a

great choice of local hand crafts.

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The Butterfly Sanctuary

Day 5- Jan 23: Our first stop takes us to the unique Zayaa mosque at Wulugu, which was built

out of mud in the 20th century. Continue to Tongo, which is known for it's Tengzug shrine and

beautiful rock formations. In the afternoon we visit the Green House, where you will learn about

the typical community life and the shea butter process. Stay at Bolgatanga

Zayaa Mosque at Wulugu

Day 6- Jan 24: In the morning we drive to Paga and you visit the Crocodile Pond where the

friendly crocodiles live. Take a picture with them before you continue to the old Pikworo slave

market to view a historic slave transit camp and relics of the slave trade. Continue to Old

Navrongo Catholic Cathedral Building, built completely out of mud bricks. Visit the Sirigu arts

village, a scenic village known for its basketry pottery, traditional architecture and wall

paintings. Participate in a pottery workshop or do a guided tour through the village on a bicycle.

Stay at Tamale

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Crocodile Pond

Day 7- Jan 25: We continue to Mole National Park, Ghana´s largest protected area, to do the

afternoon safari tour. You can choose between a walking or driving Ghana safari tour. Relax at

the poolside and enjoy the amazing view over the waterhole in the park. In Mole National Park.

The park is home to elephants, antelopes, hartebeests, waterbucks, buffaloes, water hogs, lions,

leopards, hyenas and many others! Take an afternoon ride in the canoe to view local wildlife like

crocodiles, monitor lizards and birds. Stay at Mole Motel at the park.

Mole National Park Tour

Day 8- Jan 26: Early in the morning we will do another canoe safari in the Hippo Sanctuary.

Watch some of the 250 species of birds living in this area and some typical techniques of the

local fishermen. Later we will continue our journey with a trip to the

beautiful Kintampo waterfalls, located in the woods. After a short hike to the falls, take a break

to enjoy the amazing natural environment. Continue to Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary to

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view and feed the monkeys. In this small area the monkeys are protected and treated as

sacred. We continue our journey to Techiman, where we spend the night.

Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary

Day 9- Jan 27: We continue to Adinkra village where you can design your own print

clothes. Later we will continue to the Ashanti Kente cloth weaving village in Kumasi, which

carries on the centuries-old Kente-weaving tradition. After learning about the creation of Kente

cloth you will be guided through the community and witness palm-wine production. Continue to

visit a sacred Ashanti shrine. Stay at Kumasi

Kente Weaving Village

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Day 10- Jan 28: Of the many African tribes, one of the most outstanding are the Asante in

Ghana. The Asante call themselves a state within a state, since they have their own king, flag,

culture and language. We will take you to the Ashanti King´s Palace, which was used by the

Ashanti kings until 1974. Take a walk around the historic site and visit the museum. Later you

will see the 'unmovable' Komfo Anokye Sword, which is said to be a symbol of unity between

the Nzema and the Ashanti tribes. Continue to the cultural centre to view the amazing

handicrafts. End your day with a visit at the busy Kejetia Market, the biggest market in West

Africa with over 45,000 stalls. Stay at Kumasi

The King of the Ashanti who sits on the Golden Stool

Day 11-Jan 29: After starting our journey to Cape Coast, you will visit the Assin Manso

Slave River. This river is where captured slaves from the Northern part of Ghana had their last

bath before being transported to the Americas. Stay at Cape Coast

The Donkor Nsuo river in the town of Assin Manso

Donko Nsuo River "Slave River"

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Day 12- Jan 30: After spending a night at Cape Coast we will continue to Kakum National

Park to enjoy the view from the Canopy Walkway: over 7 bridges & tree tops at 40m height.

Take a picture in the Crocodile sanctuary that crocodiles and turtles inhabit together with a range

of birds. In the afternoon you can take a walk along the beach and relax. Enjoy a

typical Ghanaian cultural performance in the evening.

Kakum National Park

Day 13- Jan 31: In the morning continue to Elimina and Cape Coast Castles, which was used

to hold slaves before they were loaded onto ships and sold in the Americas, especially the

Caribbean. Say in Accra.

Cape Coast Castle

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Day 14-Feb 1: Start the day in Accra with a climb to the top of the old lighthouse near James

Fort in Jamestown with a great view of the city and the busy and colorful fishing harbour.

Wander through the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and later visit the W.E.B. DuBois Centre and

Independence Square. Also experience the busy Makola Market. Finally we will take you to

the Arts Center, where you will find a great choice of local hand crafts. See behind the scenes of

the Art Center and enjoy a drumming session with the locals. Drop at location of your choice in

Accra.

Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum

Day 15-Feb 2: Staying in Accra and Departure for USA

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Tour Packet Prices 1 person (in a room): $4000 per person

2 persons (in a room): $3000 per person

Tour packets includes the following: 1. Airfare economy

2. Accommodation with breakfast

3. Transportation

4. Most Entry fees

Preparation for Ghana Trip

1. Register for this trip at www.aauone.org

2. Ghana Visa is needed

3. Fill an application for visa and print at http://www.ghanavisapassport.com/online-visa

4. Please fill as much as you can and sign.

5. Enclose Money Order/Cashier’s Check.

6. Original Passport.

7. 2 most recent Passport size photographs with white background.

8. Mail it with Self Stamped Envelope by December 30, 2018 to

Dr. Yvette Butler-Yeboah

316 Lanark Way

Silver Spring, MD 20901

240-678-5480 9. Recommendation to take Malaria medication.

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