Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage Records Finding Aid : Special Collections and University Archives, UMass Amherst Libraries

Read collection overview

Organized at the New England Peace Pagoda in Leverett, Mass., the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage was a twelve-month walk through the eastern United States, the Caribbean, Brazil, West Africa, and South Africa in 1998-1999, reversing the direction of the Middle Passage symbolically and geographically. A "living prayer of the heart, mind, and body for the sons and daughters of the African Diaspora," the Pilgrimage was intended by the participants to contribute to a process of healing the wounds inflicted by hundreds of years of slavery and racial oppression. Along the way, participants visited sites associated with the history of slavery, from slaves' quarters in Virginia to stations on the Underground Railroad and villages that had been raided in Africa, offering prayers for those who had suffered under slavery and commemorating the dignity of those held in bondage and those who resisted.

Chronicling the course of the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage from conception to conclusion, this collection contains a rich textual and visual record of a spiritual approach to addressing the legacy of slavery in the Americas. The collection includes the range of materials collected by participants during the Pilgrimage, including lists of reading materials, information on the sites visited, a handful of mementoes and souvenirs, some correspondence, and notes and photographs taken along the way.

Background on Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage

Conceived and organized by a Buddhist nun based at the New England Peace Pagoda in Leverett, Mass., Sister Clare Carter, and a performance artist and activist, Ingrid Askew, the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage was a year-long walk from the eastern United States to Africa, reversing the direction of the Middle Passage symbolically and geographically. A "living prayer of the heart, mind, and body for the sons and daughters of the African Diaspora," the Pilgrimage was intended by the participants to contribute to a process of healing the wounds inflicted by hundreds of years of slavery and racial oppression. Intellectually and spiritually, it would acknowledge the painful legacy of slavery as an issue affecting not just black African Americans but also white European Americans and would be a way to draw whites into the cultural conversation about race and racism. Traveling mostly on foot, the pilgrims would visit sites associated with the history of slavery, offering prayers and connecting with local residents. The organizers put together an advisory board that included scholars, religious leaders, politicians, activists, and artists, and while it was mostly drawn from the western Massachusetts community, Bishop Desmond Tutu served as honorary chair. In addition, the organizers and pilgrims made and relied on local connections as they planned the walk as well as during the walk itself.

The journey began in Massachusetts on May 30, 1998, and continued down the east coast. Passing through more than 200 U.S. cities, the pilgrims arrived in Louisiana. From New Orleans they traveled by boat through the Caribbean, finally crossing the Atlantic Ocean to arrive in western Africa. The Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage pilgrimage ended in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 12, 1999. The diverse group of pilgrims included ten who traveled the whole route, and hundreds more sharing part of the journey, from a day or a few days to weeks or months.

Scope of collection

The materials in this collection document the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage from its earliest planning stages, through the journey itself, to its aftermath, a record of the hope and vision for transformation that inspired and sustained it, as well as financial and organizational challenges. The bulk of the collection is directly related to the pilgrimage, but some material is connected to Peace Pagoda in Leverett or to individuals involved in the pilgrimage. There is also material about similar or related events, organizations, and journeys, speaking to the organizers' awareness of the global nature and broad reach of their endeavor.

Series descriptions

Series 1. Pilgrimage

1975-2006

Materials concerning the planning of the pilgrimage--both before the start of the pilgrimage and while it was under way--as well as the pilgrimage itself and its aftermath comprise this series. They include correspondence, proposals, research materials, fundraising, publicity, and outreach materials, notes, mailing lists, lists of participants, information for walkers, itineraries, and files on each stop on the route. The files in the latter subgroup are arranged to reflect the order of the pilgrimage itinerary.

Series 2. Photographs and memorabilia

1997-1999

The photographs and photograph albums in this series were apparently taken or assembled by various pilgrims. Also here is an assortment of mementoes, mostly received or collected along the way, including gifts from local residents or local government offices.

Series 3. Clippings and publications

1986-2000

The clippings are mainly of published articles and stories about the pilgrimage from a range of sources. The assortment of full publications are mostly single or select issues of periodicals, containing articles about the pilgrimage or of interest to the pilgrims.

Inventory

Series 1. Pilgrimage

1975-2006

Correspondence, general

ca.1991-1999

Box 1:

Correspondence, general

1994-1997

Box 1:

Correspondence, general

ca.1997

Box 1:

Correspondence, general

1998

Box 1:

Correspondence, general

1999 March

Box 1:

Correspondence, general

1999

Box 1:

Correspondence, general

1998-1999

Box 1:

Correspondence, general: pre-walk planning

1994-1998

Box 1:

Correspondence, general: contacts to call

1997 Jan-1998 June

Box 1: