ANNUAL KUNTA KINTE HERITAGE FESTIVAL RETURNS

The 33rd Annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival returns to the Annapolis City Dock on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The renowned festival will be held at the picturesque Susan Campbell Park and feature African, African American, and Caribbean culture through music and dance at three performance areas, 100+ artisans, food and education vendors, and a host of children’s activities. 

This year’s headliner will be The All-Star Purple Party featuring Junie Henderson with special guest Sugar Bear of EU. Another highlight is the Gambia Zimba Cultural Group, an African dance and drum group that has traveled all the way from The Gambia, sponsored by the African Tourism Union. 

This is a free, fun, family-friendly festival catering to all ages. The children’s activity tent will have activities presented by the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures. Three performance areas include the Memorial Stage near the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, the Community Stage with engaging and informational talks and demos, and the Main Stage with a range of musical acts like gospel, funk, R&B, and Go-Go. 

The mission of the Kunte Kinte Heritage Festival is to produce an educational, inspiring, and entertaining experience that not only preserves but also celebrates the culture of the African Diaspora.  

In 1767, Kunta Kinte was brought aboard the British ship Lord Ligonier from The Gambia in West Africa to the Annapolis city dock to be sold into slavery. This legendary character is known from Alex Haley’s best-selling novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family and the recent History Channel remake as a TV miniseries. Despite many years in bondage, Kunta Kinte never lost his connection to his African heritage. His experience symbolizes the importance for all ethnic groups to preserve their cultural identity. 

For more information, visit www.KuntaKinte.org or follow on social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.