Descendants of Enslaved Africans Gather to Honor Ancestors on the 1860 Clotilda Voyage in Africatown

MOBILE, AL (BuzzReport) – A solemn memorial ceremony was held Saturday in Mobile, Alabama, as the remaining descendants of the last known ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States gathered to honor their ancestors. The event took place near the Africatown Bridge, overlooking the river where the Clotilda ship remains submerged.

Attendees, many dressed in white, paid their respects to the 110 Africans who endured a grueling two-month transatlantic voyage aboard the Clotilda. The ceremony aimed to preserve the history and culture of the Africatown community, established by the survivors after the Civil War.

Descendants and community members came together to celebrate their heritage and ensure the public remembers the past. “The Clotilda history and the community that they built in Africatown is very much something that we honor, talk about, discuss, celebrate,” said Chanelle Blackwell, a ceremony organizer.

The Clotilda’s history dates back to 1860, and its discovery in 2019 has sparked efforts to preserve the ship and its legacy. A historical society founded by the descendants over 40 years ago has worked tirelessly to preserve the culture and heritage of the Africatown community.

Community members, including Walter Jermaine Bell from Atlanta, participated in the ceremony, laying wreaths and paying respects to their ancestors. Bell expressed his gratitude and humility in participating, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap for future generations.

The Africatown community, formally known as Plateau, was purchased by 32 freed survivors of the Clotilda after the Civil War. Plans to excavate and preserve the ship have been underway, with a task force recommending measures to protect the vessel from further damage. The ceremony serves as a testament to the community’s resilience and determination to preserve their history.