Middle and Modern Passages and the
47-foot sailing vessel SANGOMA are ambassadors for the maritime and waterfront history and culture of Black, African and Indigenous Peoples worldwide. We sail to various destinations contributing to unique events and creating a modern discussion beyond slavery and captivity.
Sailing SANGOMA
Sailing Vessel SANGOMA is a 47-foot custom fiberglass sailboat built in Italy in 1988. We will travel with 3-4 crewmembers, including the Captain. The sailors will be responsible for ongoing maintenance and safety routines, cooking, medical assistance, navigation, and watch schedules. The vessel has already sailed worldwide and is being improved to engage the world's oceans again.
Changing the Narrative
Black peoples around the world can be reconnected to their boatbuilding, seafaring, and heritage of ancient global exploration. Middle and Modern Passages creates opportunities to learn, discover, and increase dialogue with each other about our various maritime cultures.
Black Maritime History
We actualize this important history, using the sailing vessel itself.
Black sailors and enslaved boatmen were at the center of freedom seeking activities throughout the Americas during the early and latter periods of legal enslavement. Many have been largely uncredited and/or unknown for centuries, but others like Paul Cuffe and Olaudah Equiano are well documented through their own writings. We advocate for diligent research among writers and historians today, to reinterpret this history and to uncover people and places of interest.
