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Chargé d’Affaires Larry André giving his remarks at the welcome reception.

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Chargé d’Affaires Larry André giving his remarks at the welcome reception.

Welcome Reception for the 5th International African Diaspora Heritage Trail

Venue: Dar es Salaam

October 27, 2009

Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Larry André (as prepared)

On behalf of the United States Mission to the United Republic of Tanzania, I would like to welcome you to this American Embassy Reception. The African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference comes at a particularly opportune time, when the relationships between Africa and the African Diaspora are robust due in large part to the good work of organizations like yours and the outreach efforts of successful African governments such as that of the United Republic of Tanzania. Government to government, relations between the U.S. and Tanzania have never been stronger. In President Kikwete and his cabinet we have partners who are taking action to establish efficient, transparent governance that fosters an increasingly competitive investment climate here in Tanzania. In President Obama, we have an American leader who personally understands both African Diaspora issues and the issues faced by Africans and their leaderships here on the continent. I understand you have had very productive conference sessions. I congratulate the African Diaspora Heritage Trail organizers and the Tanzanian government for their admirable work to bring Africans and persons of African descent together to preserve the heritage of this important chapter in human history so that it may be known and personally experienced by generations to come.

There is much to celebrate in the cultural achievements of Africans and of people of African descent around the world. Celebrating, sustaining and further developing ties between Africa and communities of African descent benefits us all. As an American, I consider myself to have an African cultural heritage. Americans of African descent account for about 13 percent of our population. The dynamism, creativity and incredibly strong spirit of the African-origin component of our population has influenced our culture, our history, our politics and the very foundations of our society far beyond that community's share of our population. This disproportionate influence was achieved despite the extreme obstacles placed in the path of that community by our history of racial discrimination. Every American, of whatever ethnic heritage, has been enriched by African cultural influence, and so can justly claim an African cultural heritage.

I have worked in Africa since 1983. I have often been struck by the cultural ties uniting Americans and Africans. It is my hope that more Americans will come to realize and celebrate the cultural connection between Americans and Africans. Your organization promotes and honors the historic role of the African Diaspora in creating that connection, often under tragic and unjust circumstances. I imagine that much the same may be said about societies elsewhere in the world that have been enriched by a vital African-origin component.

Now that you have finished the “indoor” part of your conference, I understand you will explore aspects of cultural heritage on the ground. You will see landmarks, peruse documents, hear oral histories and learn customs and language of everyday usage. I congratulate the Heritage Trail and your Tanzanian partners for bringing those to life for you, and working to support Tanzania’s cultural heritage, slave trail, the antiquities in Bagamoyo, and the history of Zanzibar. I also want to share with you some of the contributions made by the American people, in partnership with the Tanzanian government, to celebrate and preserve that heritage.

Our Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation seeks to help Tanzania to preserve important cultural monuments or artifacts that are in danger of being lost or damaged. African Diaspora heritage is well represented among our projects. In 2005, we partnered with Zanzibar’s National Archives to restore important documents, including the Register of Emancipation, and to provide for conservation equipment. Additionally, the Zanzibar Archives, with the support of the American people, published several works, including:

• a book entitled “Zanzibar Slave Memory;”

• a Guide to selected manuscripts in the Zanzibar Archives relating to the slave trade and slavery, which details things like deeds of freedom;

• brochures on the Zanzibar Slave Chambers and Coral Cavern at Mangapwani and its slave legend, (which I understand you will visit in Zanzibar), and

• a guide to the Barghash and Marhubi Palace of Zanzibar.

Then, in 2007, the U.S. Mission partnered with the Ministry of Tourism to join in the preservation work at the historic Kaole Ruins outside Bagamoyo, which I understand you will visit tomorrow. No doubt on your visit there, you will see and feel the incredible history in the mosques and other structures built at this earliest of Tanzanian ports. It gives us great satisfaction to join Tanzania on critical preservation projects such as these, and to participate in the preservation of this beautiful country's cultural heritage. We know there is more to be done, and are delighted that new partners in cultural heritage, such as yourselves, continue to recognize the value of these sites and projects.

I want to wish you all, especially the students who are here as a part of the Youth Leadership Summit, great success in your endeavors with the people of Tanzania. Your shared achievement contributes toward greater understanding among the world's cultures. I congratulate all of you who have worked to bring the admirable goals of this conference to reality. On behalf of the American people, hongereni for a job well done!

Asanteni Sana!