10th Anniversary Symposium

Şẹ́lẹ̀rú Àgbo - Águas Sagradas - Sacred Waters

Chicago Illinois
May 17th -19th, 2024

We cordially invite you to join us as we celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary as the AABCC on May 17-19th, 2024. This year’s theme will explore the realities of Black vulnerability, religious racism and intolerance, and the essential role of water within African spirituality, most specifically the Candomblé ecosystem. We will survey practical applications of ancestral wisdom that harness the healing and transformative power of water, and its impact throughout vulnerable Black, indigenous, and multi-racial communities. Additionally, we will prioritize thought leadership on current day social activism around the fight to end religious racism. Workshop discussions will focus on the core mental, physical and emotional impacts that are felt by African Traditional Religious (ATR) practitioners in Brazil and the Black Atlantic world.

As practitioners of ATR’s continue to suffer the atrocities of vandalism, abuse, and even murder, the AABCC seeks to raise awareness to these matters and promote an end to the vulnerable state of fear that exists for practitioners of African spiritual traditions. Our guest speakers will offer healing workshops, strategic brainstorm sessions for combatting religious discrimination, and high-level engagement in the arts, culture and rituals of Candomblé. Participant will be immersed in a weekend of Orixa songs, drumming and dance workshops with the specified goal of rejuvenating the soul. On Sunday, we will host a public Candomblé Xiré ceremony for all to see.

About the Event

Presenters include a dynamic panel of religious leaders, scholars, activists and artists, that work in the areas of religion and environmental, racial and gender justice. Participants will engage these notable leaders in the healing practices of Candomblé through contemplative discussion, dance/song & drum workshops, and ritual.  Attendees will be inspired by indigenous methodologies of this practice as it relates to mental health, wellness, mindfulness and spiritual self-care. 

Hands-On Workshops

Lectures, Panels, and Discussions

Performances and Screenings

Ritual Xiré Ceremony

Featured Presenters

Event Schedule

Fri
17
May
05:00 pm - 07:00 pm
740 East 56th Place, Chicago
Fri
17
May
07:00 pm - 09:40 pm
740 East 56th Place, Chicago
Sat
18
May
08:00 am - 09:30 am
7415 S East End Ave,, Chicago
Sat
18
May
Sat
18
May
09:45 am - 11:15 am
7415 S East End Ave,, Chicago
Sat
18
May
09:45 am - 11:15 am
7415 S East End Ave,, Chicago
Sat
18
May
11:15 am - 12:30 pm
No Venue Found
Sat
18
May
12:45 pm - 02:15 pm
7415 S East End Ave,, Chicago
Sat
18
May
02:30 pm - 04:00 pm
7415 S East End Ave,, Chicago
Sat
18
May
04:15 pm - 05:45 pm
7415 S East End Ave,, Chicago
Sun
19
May
08:00 am - 09:00 am
6300 S Cornell Ave, Chicago
Sun
19
May
02:00 pm - 06:00 pm
2100 E 71st St, Chicago

Locations

FAQ

Anyone with an interest Candomblé and other African traditional and diasporic religions! No previous knowledge or experience is required or expected. 

All of our event venues are on the South Side of Chicago. They all will have easily available street parking. For those transiting, we recommend staying along the Red or Green lines, or in Hyde Park, an area with a number of hotels and which will be a 10-12 minute ride or shorter to all Symposium events. Some options in the neighborhood include: 

 

Marriott Find & Reserve - Choose Dates, Rooms & Rates

Chic Hotel in Hyde Park Neighborhood | Hyatt Place Chicago South University

The Study at University of Chicago - Study Hotels

Sophy Hotel | A Boutique Hotel

Normal street clothing works for both Friday and Saturday. Please wear all white on Sunday. 

Want to join us?