top
Central Valley
Central Valley
Indybay
Indybay
Indybay
Regions
Indybay Regions North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area California United States International Americas Haiti Iraq Palestine Afghanistan
Topics
Newswire
Features
From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature

California Freedom's Eve Kuumba Celebration

by khubaka, michael harris (blackagriculture [at] yahoo.com)
Lest we forget, of Freedom's Eve, that blessed night, enslaved human beings, free people of African ancestry in America, abolitionists of all faiths and cultures came together in churches and private homes across the nation prayerfully anticipating the Emancipation Proclamation to be officially signed by President Abraham Lincoln. At our California State Capitol and throughout the world, Freedom's Eve is celebrated with a renewed focus toward freedom throughout the world.
1619_-_1865.jpg
Celebrate Watch Night Service and California Freedom's Eve Kuumba Celebration

Throughout the State of California, many faith based organizations will rediscover the true significance of the historical Sunday, December 30, 2012, Watch Night Service, honoring this special 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

For many people of African ancestry in America, the Watch Night service is traced back to gatherings also known as "Freedom's Eve."

On that blessed night, enslaved human beings, free people of African ancestry in America, abolitionists of all faiths and cultures came together in churches and private homes across the nation prayerfully anticipating the Emancipation Proclamation to be officially signed by President Abraham Lincoln.

At the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863; all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free according to the September 22, 1862 preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as many people fell to their knees and thanked God for the first official recognition of freedom for people of African ancestry by the United States of America.

Today, we reflect on the ongoing journey towards a greater measure of freedom by gathering in our faith based institutions for Watch Night Service, praising God for bringing us safely through another year.

It's been 150 years since the first Freedom's Eve and a growing tradition brings us together at this time every year to celebrate "how we crossed over from slavery to freedom."

Our special California Freedom's Eve ~ Kuumba Celebration is an intercultural, interfaith and interactive experience as part of global events for the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Join us, Monday, December 31, 2012, Noon at the California State Capitol, 10th and L Street, Downtown Sacramento, and relive those precious moments of Freedom's Eve through songs, prayers, praise and worship, storytelling, fashion, food and of course the proclamation of the word.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!

Donate

$110.00 donated
in the past month

Get Involved

If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.

Publish

Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.

IMC Network