African Ancestors are honoured in a historic tribute organised by Nubian Jak Community Trust in partnership with the West Indian Association of Service Personnel (WASP) and hosted by the Black Cultural Archives (BCA).
The event took place two days after Memorial Sunday, on the 11th November 2014. Amongst the attendees were Cllr Adedamola Aminu, Mayor of Lambeth, Sam King, Dawn Hill, Patrick Vernon, Chair of BCA and representatives from the High Commissions of Uganda, Trinidad & Tobago and Ghana. Libation was poured by two of the UK's most distinguished African activists and warrior scholars, Sister Nzingha Assata and Professor Gus John.
Toyin Agbetu said “The failure of the mainstream British media to cover this commemorative event is a timely reminder of why it remains our own duty to remember and honour our Ancestors. The white washing of African British history that removes the names of the lives lost during those wars does a grave disservice to both those that perpetuate the myths and those that inherit the lies”
Engraved on the obelisks are the names of all the regiments from Africa and the Caribbean who served Britain in World War 1 & 2. An inscription also reads:
“The Unknown Soldiers
Soldiers of African heritage have been part of British military history since Roman times. From the North African legion stationed at Hadrian’s Wall, to the formation of the West India Regiments in the 18th century. This fallen stone is in honour of those unknown soldiers who aided Great Britain, in both world wars, from sea to land and sky, until the arrival of the Windrush generation, and beyond.”
An online fundraising campaign has been launched to have the obelisks permanently installed on a site designated to the West Indian Association of Service Personnel on Windrush Square.
Jak Beula, chair and funder of the Nubian Jak Community Trust, said:
“The efforts of military contribution to both World Wars by African and Caribbean peoples have for too long remained overlooked and unheralded.
This memorial will correct that omission and give justice and dignity to the hundreds of thousands of African and Caribbean servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice..."
External Links
ARMISTICE DAY 2014 - QM NZINGHA ASSATA - Libation & InterviewEvent Images by Thabo JaiyesimiSupport African and Caribbean War MemorialNubian Jak Community TrustAfrican and Caribbean War Memorial unveiled at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton
The event took place two days after Memorial Sunday, on the 11th November 2014. Amongst the attendees were Cllr Adedamola Aminu, Mayor of Lambeth, Sam King, Dawn Hill, Patrick Vernon, Chair of BCA and representatives from the High Commissions of Uganda, Trinidad & Tobago and Ghana. Libation was poured by two of the UK's most distinguished African activists and warrior scholars, Sister Nzingha Assata and Professor Gus John.
Toyin Agbetu said “The failure of the mainstream British media to cover this commemorative event is a timely reminder of why it remains our own duty to remember and honour our Ancestors. The white washing of African British history that removes the names of the lives lost during those wars does a grave disservice to both those that perpetuate the myths and those that inherit the lies”
Nzingha Assata and Professor Gus John pour libation at Memorial 2014 (Images: BCA / MIN)
The Unknown Soldiers
Engraved on the obelisks are the names of all the regiments from Africa and the Caribbean who served Britain in World War 1 & 2. An inscription also reads:“The Unknown Soldiers
Soldiers of African heritage have been part of British military history since Roman times. From the North African legion stationed at Hadrian’s Wall, to the formation of the West India Regiments in the 18th century. This fallen stone is in honour of those unknown soldiers who aided Great Britain, in both world wars, from sea to land and sky, until the arrival of the Windrush generation, and beyond.”
An online fundraising campaign has been launched to have the obelisks permanently installed on a site designated to the West Indian Association of Service Personnel on Windrush Square.
Jak Beula, chair and funder of the Nubian Jak Community Trust, said:
“The efforts of military contribution to both World Wars by African and Caribbean peoples have for too long remained overlooked and unheralded.
This memorial will correct that omission and give justice and dignity to the hundreds of thousands of African and Caribbean servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice..."
Jak Beula, Nubian Jak Community Trust
External Links
ARMISTICE DAY 2014 - QM NZINGHA ASSATA - Libation & InterviewEvent Images by Thabo JaiyesimiSupport African and Caribbean War MemorialNubian Jak Community TrustAfrican and Caribbean War Memorial unveiled at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton
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