Community Build: Black Ancestral Altar
Description
See schedule below for event dates that apply to people who identify as Black or larger BareBones community.
Community Build Residency led by Christie Epiphany
- Add to the BareBones Ancestral Float /Altar
- Help build an Orisa puppet for the BareBones Procession
- Put together all white attire for the BareBones Procession
- Celebrate West African spiritual practice
Schedule
Invites participants who identify as Black (and families of people who identify as Black) on:
Tuesday Oct 19, 5-7:30
Thursday Oct 21, 5-7:30
Invites any participants of larger BareBones community on:
Tuesday Oct 26, 5-7:30
Thursday Oct 28, 5-7:30
Saturday Oct 30, 5-:730 (“dress rehearsal/magical l” Barebones Community open)
Sunday, Oct 31, Group meets at George Floyd Square for the BareBones Procession
Description
Who’s Invited / On Holding Space: Intentionality is put on making sure we are centering the needs and voices of Black community members. So we are inviting those who identify as Black (and families of people who identify as Black) the week of Oct 19 and welcome non-Black BareBones community members the week of Oct 26.
We are a kid-friendly building/art space and will work towards honoring and celebrating our ancestors and educating folks with our processional piece.
What to bring: Things/materials that remind us of our ancestors, ancestors we’ve lost as a community, pictures of ancestors, white clothes/fabrics, candles, positive intentions. Musicians and drummers are welcome.
About our Altar Processional/Float: We will dress in white Regalia/ attire to represent the theme of mourning because in West African cultural/spiritual practice because white is used in ritual and grieving practices. We will gather materials and representations of our ancestors’ lived experiences and use them to build an altar on the float. We will also hold and carry some of these Altar materials (like candles with blessed intentions, drums, bells, etc) as we process from Powderhorn Park to the Festival de las Calaveras at Chicago and Lake Street. Processing is an embodied ritual that we will all partake in together.
Hospitality is important! We feel hospitality is important in creating a safe learning/art space. Christie can provide drinks, some snacks, fire, access to the bathroom, and outdoor seating. Kids are welcome. The red church across the alley on Newton and 29th may be an option for bathroom accessibility since Christie’s bathroom has stairs.
Learning Zone: Helping people understand the significance of Ifa and how it informs our processional and reclaiming/understanding our lineage/identity (regalia/attire, embodied ritual, offerings, adornments).