The annual New Orleans MAAFA Commemoration is a community remembrance event, a moment to reckon with the horrors of the Transatlantic and Domestic Slave Trades, and a release from the chains of its legacy. MAAFA is a Kiswahili word meaning “horrific tragedy” and refers to the period known as The Middle Passage. This year’s event presented by Ashé Cultural Arts Center is on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 7:00am, beginning at Congo Square (701 N Rampart St.)

This year’s theme is Anchored by the Ancestors—a tribute to the timeless legacy of those whose strength, wisdom, and perseverance continue to guide our path. Across generations, our ancestors have carried the stories, traditions, and values that define our culture, leaving an indelible imprint on our collective journey. Their sacrifices became our foundation; their dreams became our inheritance. As we gather in their honor, we celebrate the enduring connection between past, present, and future, firmly rooted in the legacy of those who came before and empowered by the possibilities that lie ahead.

MAAFA identifies historically-significant locations of New Orleans’ own history as a major slave market, such as Esplanade Avenue and The Tomb of the Unknown Slave in Tremé. In closing, we say the names of those enslaved and free, victims of tragic events, senseless violence, as well as all those who were, so that we might be.

All white attire is preferred. The local community and visitors are invited to attend this commemoration event of healing, testimony, and celebration of our ancestors, existence, and survival.