As the golden sunset on the last day of October, transformative energy swept through the virtual halls of The Uhuru Academy. It was the kind of energy that could only mean one thing—our 13th Annual Ancestor’s Ball was upon us. This year, like every year, we sought not just to remember but to invigorate the legacies of those giants upon whose shoulders we stand. Our online students, the vibrant young minds of Afrika’s future, came to class adorned in the regalia of our ancestors, ready to pay homage to the great lineage that has shaped our journey.
The Ancestor’s Ball is not merely an event; it is a rite of passage. It is the moment when our students delve deep into their histories, connecting with either personal family heroes or the communal warriors, thinkers, and leaders who have carved out our story in the annals of time. From the regal poise of Queen Nzinga to the revolutionary spirit of Thomas Sankara, our virtual classroom was a tapestry of our rich heritage, each thread woven with pride and profound respect.
As Baba Amin, I watched with a heart full of joy as our youth embodied the essence of figures such as Malcolm X, whose fiery eloquence was matched by a student’s passionate presentation. A young girl, her voice steady with conviction, captured the indomitable spirit of Harriet Tubman, reminding us that the pursuit of freedom is etched into our DNA. And there were those who chose to honor the unsung heroes—their grandparents, aunts, and uncles—who, though not in history books, have shaped their lives with tales of resilience and wisdom passed down through generations.
The air was thick with stories, each a testament to our enduring legacy. But the Ancestor’s Ball was not all solemnity and speeches. Laughter rang out as we engaged in games that tested our knowledge of our history and our heroes. Interactive activities that drew from our cultural traditions allowed us to not only celebrate our past but also revel in the collective joy of our present company.
Perhaps the most touching moment was the unity that this event fostered among our students. Despite the miles that may separate them, our youths were united under the banner of a shared past and a collective hope for the future. This unity is what the Ancestor’s Ball is all about—coming together to remember that we are one family, with roots that run as deep as the history of civilization itself.
As the event drew to a close, the energy did not wane—it shifted. It became a quiet resolve in each student to carry the torch of our ancestors forward, to blaze new trails while never forgetting the path that brought us here. The 13th Ancestor’s Ball was a link in a chain that binds us to our past and propels us toward our destiny.
We closed the evening with a proverb that resonates with the spirit of the Ancestor’s Ball: “A tree without roots cannot stand”. Together, we embraced wisdom, and in doing so, we honored the giants of our past and took another step in the never-ending journey of uplifting and educating our youth—the future ancestors who will one day inspire generations to come.
In unity and remembrance, Baba Amin Ojuok
