Dehkontee Artists Theatre Celebrates 40th Anniversary Gala in Traditional African Jewish Fashion!

88 Pages·2017·14.36 MB·English

Dehkontee Artists Theatre Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Gala in Traditional African Jewish Fashion!

Motto: Education and Entertainment through Cultural Awareness

Venue: African Cultural Center, 5000 Springfield Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Date: 16 September 2017
Time: 6 P.M. until 2:00 A.M. Sunday, September 17, 2017
All Rights Reserved Copy Right@2017
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Forty Years of Cultural Enlightenment on the Continent of Africa and
in the United States of America through the Legacy of Dr. Joe
“Shakespeare” Gbaba

Traditional African Jewish Ritual Procession performed by DATI performers in front of the
African Cultural Center, 5000 Springfield Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday,
September 16, 2017. Hawa Porte Quaye on left holds the plate containing the white kola nuts,
pepper, and salt (the traditional African Jewish Manna) while Brother Bon Adventure on right
carries the plate with the white powder as a sign of peace and blessings from Almighty God and
the spirits of our African forefathers. In the background are DATI’s Cultural Ambassador
Kormassa Bobo and daughter Saigay Sheriff playing the traditional African musical instrument
(sasa), as the thespians dance to its melodious tune.

Dehkontee Artists Theatre, Inc. (DATI) celebrated its 40th Anniversary in
grand style with a mixture of cultural and educational activities. The elite Liberian
cultural group now based in the U.S. commemorated forty long years of
promoting the history and culture of Africa on the one hand, and the traditional
African and colonial history of Liberia, on the other. The Republic of Liberia is
Africa’s oldest Independent Democratic Republic on the continent of Africa. It
was never colonized by any European or western nation since the creation of the
universe. Hence, Liberia is considered an historic landmark on the continent of
Africa, and is referred to as the “Israel” and “Promise Land” of the Black Race.

Freed slaves from America and the Caribbean returned to Africa during
the early and mid-19th century. They settled in what is now Liberia and
established the western governance system. Prior to their repatriation, the
landscape of present day Liberia was inhabited by Africans who were descendants
of the great ancient African empires and kingdoms of Aksum, Nubia, Kemet,
Ghana, Songhay, Mali, Benin, etc. Hence, traditional African kings ruled them.
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Therefore, Liberia’s culture is diversified: it reflects attributes of both Indigenous
and Settler cultures, such as English being the official language of communication
and its close historical affiliation with the United States of America.

Brief History of Dehkontee Artists Theatre

Original members of the Honorable Body of Dehkontee Artists Theatre at the
University of Liberia in 1977. L-R (back roll): Kathy Lokko, Eric Goll, Joshua
Howard, Christopher Diggs, Herbert Elliott, Melvin Smith (deceased), Claude Langley,
Maude Major, Henrique Scott, Sonia Tubman, Joseph Kappia, Comfort Ennis, Festus
Russell; L-R (Front roll): Bill N. Ross, III, Josephine Gibson, Dr. Joe Gbaba, Evelyn
Broderick, Edwin Gibson.

Dehkontee Artists Theatre was founded forty years ago by patriotic and
conscientious students at the University of Liberia under the leadership of
Liberian American playwright and theatre director/actor, Dr. Joe Gbaba. The goal
of the organization was to promote the diversified history and culture of Liberia
through the performing and visual arts. Amazingly, DATI has upkept and fulfilled
its commitment to the Liberian people and the world, by being the custodians of
Liberian arts and culture both on the continent of Africa and in the diaspora. Thus,
through a period of peace and war over a forty-year span, DATI has been a
shining light that has lit and revealed the darkest corners of Liberian society and
enlightened the citizens about their rich cultural and historical past.

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DATI’s 40th Anniversary Theme: “Promoting National Peace and
Reconciliation in Post War Liberia through the Performing and Visual Arts”

The theme of DATI’s 40th Anniversary was: “Promoting National Peace
and Reconciliation in Post War Liberia through the Performing and Visual Arts”.
From this perspective, the colorful Gala commenced with a traditional African
Jewish procession and ritual ceremony officiated by Rabbi Prince Joseph
Tomoonh-Garlodeyh Gbaba, and Dehkontee Artists Theatre performers. Dr.
Gbaba was assisted by the guest speaker and former DATI actor from the
University of Liberia, Honorable Tim Weeks. Members of the audience were also
actively engaged. They participated in the elaborate traditional African Jewish
ceremonies of thanksgiving and reconciliation, by invoking the presence of the
spirits of our forefathers, and by giving thanks and praises to Younsuah, the God
of our Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Photo of Brother Bon Adventure (a.k.a., Prince Jose Flora Gbaba, son of Rabbi Dr.
Joe Gbaba who is training to become a Franciscan Priest in the Catholic Church at the
Franciscan Minor in South Bend, Indiana. In the background are Rabbi Gbaba,
Annette Landers, Donnie Delarge, and Donna Longus.

The Order of Events/Protocol of DATI’s 40th Anniversary

At sharp 6. P.M., the Chief Celebrant, Rabbi Dr. Joe Gbaba, along with
Honorable Tim Weeks, and members of Dehkontee Artists Theatre, somberly
danced and chanted traditional songs in front of the African Cultural Center, 5000
Springfield Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the Grebo,
Kru, Krahn, and Bassa war masquerade was to symbolically instill the mindset of
“from war to peace” in the minds, hearts, and souls of all those who attended the
sacred event.

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Brother Bon Adventure (a.k.a., Prince Jose Flora Gbaba) carried the plate
filled with white powder that was used to mark the faces of attendees as a sign of
blessings from Almighty God and the spirits of our forefathers. He is one of four
sons of Rabbi Gbaba. Brother Bon Adventure is currently studying to become a
Franciscan Monk in the Catholic Church. Another performer, Madam Hawa Porte
Quaye, was dressed in her Sande outfit. She bore the plate that contained white
kola nuts, salt, and pepper, symbolizing the “Manna”, or peace meal, in which
attendees later participated.

The ritual ceremonies represented a cross-section of Liberian arts and
culture. Liberian culture includes the way of life of the Kwa ethnic group (Krahn,
Kru, Grebo, Bassa, Deiweion, Gbi, Sapo, Belleh) and Mande speaking ethnic
group of Liberia (Lorma, Gbandi, Mende, Kissi, Kpelle, Mah, Dahn, and
Mandingo). Liberian history and culture also include Settlers’ cultures (Americo-
Liberian, Congor, and immigrants from the Caribbean and other Blacks from
around the world).

L-R: Hawa Porte Quaye, DATI’s Cultural Ambassador Kormassa Bobo, Annette
Landers, and Saigay Sheriff.

Hawa Porte Quaye, Kormassa Bobo, Saigay Sheriff, Annette Landers,
Donna Longus, Donnie Delarge, Archie Wilson, Timothy Gardiner, and Lars
Tomo McCritty were all clad in their war regalia and ceremonial attires to
traditionally celebrate the 40th Anniversary Gala of Liberia’s longest surviving
theatre company and cultural institution. The festive scenery attracted passersby
and onlookers who found it very fascinating to watch Blacks with their faces
marked with white chalk. The masqueraders made funny noises and gestures at
the spectators as they simulated the traditional Grebo, Kru, Krahn, and Bassa war
dance. Some spectators beeped their horns in solidarity with DATI artists as they
drove from work and/or as they were on their outing spree, since it was just the
start of a lovely weekend. Of course, as usual, there was a brief down pour of
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some showers of blessings from the sky and from Almighty God, as DATI’s
performers invoked God’s presence and that of their ancestors in the great
beyond.

Spectators and audience members anxiously awaited the arrival of the
celebrants in the hall itself where the fete and ritual ceremonies occurred. The hall
was beautifully adorned with the official DATI green color, and Brandon Swain
and his SWAINTECH crew that is based in Philadelphia provided the music,
lights, and sound effects for the auspicious gala. Princess Ariminta Gbaba,
DATI’s Secretary of the Board of Directors, and Mrs. Juliana Koffa-Dixon,
DATI’s Ways and Means Chair, took charge of the box office, while DATI’s
Board Member Honorable Harrison “BlackBaby” Jiedueh was the official
videographer of the 40th Anniversary.

An array of distinguished guests and African royalties were present (R-L: Hon. Vonjo
Tommy, Hon. Nelson Suah, guest speaker, Hon. Tim Weeks, Princess Joy Flahn,
Prince Dr. George Ninneh Flahn, Prince Marvin Flahn, and his fiancée, Ms. Martha
Kieh, among others).

The sweet smell of some Liberian dishes and delicacies bombarded your
nostrils as you entered the inner entrance of the African Cultural Center. The
foods were prepared by DATI’s Events Committee Chair, Mrs. Comfort Shilue-
Sobah and her crew, including Ms. Elaine Doebo, Mrs. Alfreda Cheaye Morris,
Ms. Nora Solo, and Mrs. Marie Slangar. Also, many distinguished personalities
and African royalties turned out to support Liberia’s longest surviving theatre
company and cultural institution. Among those that travelled from faraway places
were: Prince Dr. George Ninneh and Princess Joy Flahn from Great Britain,
DATI’s Board Members Mrs. Felicia Gaye-Wright from Aurora, Colorado,
Archie Arnold Wilson from Fort Worth, Texas, Mrs. Juliana Dixon from Ellicott
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City, Maryland, and DATI’s Stage Manager Lars Tomo McCritty from
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Most of the attendees were sparklingly dressed in
beautiful African attires and western formal fashions. Overall, the atmosphere of
the entire setting was festive and friendly.

The Traditional African Jewish Intercessory Prayer and Peace Communion

The traditional African Jewish intercessory prayer and peace communion
took place at the end of the outdoors procession. A make-shift altar was set up in
the building, and three symbolic Red, White, and Blue candles were placed on the
altar to commence the ritual ceremonies. The three candles symbolized three
things in relation to the Republic of Liberia as a Jewish nation: (1) the candles
represented the triumvirate God (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit); (2) they
symbolized the presence of our Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and (3) the
Red, White, and Blue Peace Candles represented the national colors of Liberia,
and the three original counties at the founding of the Republic of Liberia on July
26, 1847. They were: Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Sinoe Counties.

The three Peace Candles above signify the triumvirate God of the Jewish Nation of Liberia
(God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). The Red, White, and Blue colors of the candles
represent the national colors of Liberia, and the three candles represent the three original
counties at the onset of the Declaration of Independence of Liberia on July 26, 1847. The
original Republic of Liberia consisted of three counties: Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Sinoe.
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During the traditional African Jewish ritual, Rabbi Gbaba extended an
invitation to some members of the audience to light the Peace Candles
representing the fifteen political sub divisions of Liberia after explaining the
significance of the traditional African Jewish ritual on stage. For example, the
burning candles were intended to remind all Liberians about the deaths of our
loved ones during some significant eras in Liberian history, such as the April 12,
1980 military coup d’état and the execution of thirteen former government
officials in the Tolbert government on April 22, 1980. This tragedy occurred
when the People’s Redemption Council (PRC) government overthrew the age old
Grand True Whig Party (TWP) government of President William R. Tolbert, Jr.
This was done under the auspices of western operatives who orchestrated the
bloody military coup d’état. Subsequently, Master Sergeant Samuel Kanyon Doe
became the first Indigenous Liberian President and Head of State from the Krahn
ethnic group of Liberia after one hundred and thirty-two years of consecutive
Settler rule.

L-R: DATI’s Stage Manager, Lars Tomo McCritty, DATI’s Hall of Famer, Tim
Gardiner, Brother Bon Adventure, Donnie Delarge, Hawa Porte Quaye, and Archie
Wilson in blue coat with back turned.

In addition, the lighting of the fifteen Peace Candles was intended to
remind all Liberians and the international community of the bloody retaliatory
civil war waged on the Liberian people by dissidents and relatives of the thirteen
executed government officials (in cohort with some United States government
officials and other western and African nations). The consequences of the rebel
incursion in Liberia has had a devastating effect on the overall infrastructure of
Liberia and all Liberians at home and abroad. It caused the deaths of over a
quarter million Liberians and foreign nationals that included five American
Catholic nuns. Thus, for every government official that was executed on April 22,
1980, 19,230 innocent and unarmed Liberian civilians and foreign nationals
(women, children, the elderly, soldiers, police officers, and all those who served
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in government, etc.) were slaughtered in place of one executed government
official of the dethroned Tolbert regime. Thus, making the death toll a ratio of 1-
19, 230!

Against this backdrop, the solemn ceremony regarding the lighting of
Peace Candles engaged all participants and the audience. It also symbolized the
desire of those in attendance to commit themselves to the peace and reconciliation
process among all Liberians at home and abroad. The lighting of the Peace
Candles started with the three original counties that constituted the Republic of
Liberia when Liberia declared its Independence on July 26, 1847. The three
original counties of Liberia were: Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Sinoe. DATI’s
guest speaker, Honorable Tim Weeks lit the Montserrado Peace Candle. Next in
line was Grand Bassa’s representative, Honorable Lars Tomo McCritty (DATI’s
Stage Manager). He was followed by DATI’s Board Member, Honorable
Harrison “BlackBaby” Jiedueh of Sinoe County.

DATI’s Guest Speaker and former Dehkontee Artists actor, Honorable Tim Weeks,
lights the Montserrado County Peace Candle during the traditional African Jewish
ritual ceremonies at DATI’s 40th Anniversary Gala.

Lars Tomo McCritty lighting the Grand Bassa County Peace Candle.
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Mr. Harrison Jiedueh lighting the Sinoe Peace Candle.

Later, during the ritual ceremonies, two additional candles were lit to
symbolize the inclusion of Grand Cape Mount County in 1856, and Maryland
County in 1857, as political subdivisions of the Republic of Liberia. The
Maryland Peace Candle was lit by Honorable Sackor Saydee, and Honorable
Vonjo Tommy lit the Grand Cape Mount Peace Candle. What this signified
politically and historically, was that the rest of the various Indigenous and Settler
peoples on the coastal regions and in the hinterlands of what is now Liberia were
not considered ‘citizens’ or ‘residents’ of the Republic of Liberia at that time.
They were technically not “Liberian citizens”.

Instead, they were members of splinter West African kingdoms of
Songhay, Mali, Ghana, Benin, and other principalities that had their own
governance systems or structures—mainly monarchical form of government for
most of them. Hence, these Native Africans were governed by traditional African
kings who traced their ancestry from the beginning of humanity—from Eastern
and Central Africa—and from the ancient African Kingdoms of Kush, Kemet, and
Nubia, respectively.

Subsequently, four additional Peace Candles were lit to symbolize the
milestone political inclusion in 1964 of Indigenous peoples of the hinterlands of
Liberia as citizens of Liberia and with full political representation in the Liberian
government during the administration of President William V.S. Tubman.
President Tubman granted County status to Grand Gedeh, Bong, Lofa, and
Nimba, Counties on July 26, 1964. Thus, Liberia consisted of nine political sub
divisions at that time. In this light, it took 107 years for the Status Quo who ruled
Liberia to include aborigines and Settlers in the hinterlands of Liberia as full
citizens that were entitled to direct political representation in the Liberian
government. Brother Bon Adventure lit the Grand Gedeh Peace Candle, while
Honorable Tim Gardiner lit the Nimba Peace Candle. DATI’s Cultural
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