CHARLOTTE — Our Lady of the Assumption School held a “Harambee" Mass as part of the school’s cultural month.
The “Harambee” Mass is inspired by the Kenyan tradition of community self-help efforts. “Harambee” means “all pull together” in Swahili.
During the “Harambee Mass,” students evoked some of the traditions American slaves practiced.
Fearing punishment that could lead to death, the slaves would wait to the darkest part of night and sneak into the woods for service.
They brought brooms to sweep the area for the service and a large pot would be used as the altar.
— Photos by Troy Hull