Ritual

A proper burial is a ceremony that many of us take for granted, but that was not the case for African Americans for much of U.S. history. From a man honoring his duty as caretaker for his ancestors’ cemetery to a woman fighting to protect the sacred burial sites of her enslaved ancestors, we learn how taking care of the dead became an act of resilience in the American South.

Every year on Haitian Independence Day, Haitians celebrate their ancestors’ hard won freedom from slavery and French colonial rule by making soup joumou. Tank Ball explores what it means to use food to preserve the memory of home, and how the ritual highlights the complexities of living in a country whose government has so frequently antagonized Haiti in its historical quest for freedom.

The centuries old traditions of the Black Masking Indians continue to thrive in New Orleans with the most iconic being Super Sunday. Most outsiders stand in awe of Mardi Gras Indians’ elaborate suits, but due to the secrecy of this ritual few understand its origins. Join Tank Ball as she meets Masking Indians and explores one of the most sacred rituals in New Orleans.

Join Tank Ball as she explores the origins of Hoodoo, a unique and powerful form of spiritual practice deeply rooted in African American culture and the ancient ritual of ancestral worship. Ball traces the lineage of Hoodoo back to the era of slavery and provides an intimate glimpse into the practices and philosophies that bind generations together.

Join us on this enlightening journey as Tank Ball discovers the origins, significance and lasting legacy of River Baptisms for the Black community. Through interviews with Amber Dromgoole, Ph.D. and Musician and Minister Rev. Joshuah Brian Campbell, we uncover compelling stories of how the sacred waters have profoundly shaped U.S. history, musical traditions and inspired countless artists.

Tank Ball heads to San Antonio, Texas to learn about the musical tradition of corridos, which are ballads that were created by the Mexican people along the Texas-Mexican border during the mid-1800s. Corridos are songs that tell the stories of the Mexican and Mexican American people: their heroes and their fight against Anglo racism and Texas Ranger violence.

Rooted in themes of renewal, gratitude, purification, and communal solidarity, the Green Corn Ceremony unites community members for spiritual cleansing, storytelling, dances, and songs. As participants partake in the preparation and consumption of freshly harvested corn, they express appreciation for the Earth’s abundance.

Across cultures and throughout history, the ritual of the hunt has been the center of gravity for a community’s way of life, despite its decreasing relevance in western culture. We explore what goes into preparing for a hunt, what parts of this ritual are being lost to changing culture and climate change, and the spiritual nature of connecting with the land.