The history of Black family reunions reaches back through a painful history, to families being torn apart in Africa. Family members watched helplessly as loved ones were sent across the sea, never to be seen again.
For years after that, while being enslaved, Black people in America were lucky if they were able to keep their families close. Husbands and wives were often sold to separate plantations, never to be reunited. Children were pulled from their mothers' arms. Cousins were removed from the rest of the family. Loved ones were torn apart with no respect to their relationships or families.
But Black love could not be stopped.
Even though Black marriage was illegal in the U.S. because enslaved people weren't considered citizens, Black people used broom ceremonies where they would jump the broom to confirm marriages. And at a time when everything was taken from them, the love they had for their family was nearly all they had left. They held it dear to their hearts. With so many separations and no way to trace them, however, many families were never reunited.
A lack of formal record-keeping leaves gaps in many Black family trees. Family Bibles were popular places to keep important family information, but it was usually limited to the memories of the patriarch or matriarch of the family. The fact that many enslaved people couldn’t read or write–and often lacked the resources to record family histories–also contributed to incomplete family trees.
In 1976 Alex Haley published “Roots,” inspiring Black people to discover their family histories. Many Black families were able to trace their roots to slavery and even villages in Africa. This sparked a desire to gather with their families and begin the tradition of family reunions, a tradition that lives on today.
Family Reunions Today
The tradition of Black family reunions has grown and evolved. Today’s reunions can be all fun and games or include a more serious tone–or both. Depending on the size of the family, the family may appoint a committee to make big decisions or simply plan the next reunion. Reunions can also be a time for updating family records.
Just as families are all different, no two family reunions are alike. If you are in charge of your next big family reunion, here are some fun ideas to make it a memorable one.
- Hold a talent show. Not everyone needs to be American Idol-level talented. Just have fun sharing talent in the family in front of family.
- Have a picnic. Whether the food is all provided, it's a potluck, or everyone brings their own picnic, you can gather, eat, and fellowship in the fresh air with loved ones.
- Play group games. Tug-of-war, water balloon fights, races, pie-eating contests, and more can be fun with a large group. The winners will bask with bragging rights until the next reunion.
- Wear matching tees. There is something unifying about matching with your kin. Just as you feel a sisterly love whenever you see someone in their Delta Sigma Theta apparel, seeing your cousins, aunts, and uncles wearing the same shirt as you with your family name emblazoned on their chest can bring a sense of camaraderie, pride, and love.
- Provide conversation starters. You may be a little rusty on who everyone is if you're gathering a large group together. Conversation starters can break the ice and help get everyone reacquainted. Write these on scraps of paper and have everyone pick one from a jar or have everyone wear a question on a name tag and mill around gathering answers.
- Set up a photo booth. Have a spot where everyone can get their picture taken. Then later in the reunion, you can display a slideshow of the photos. This provides great memorabilia to help preserve memories from the reunion.
- Remember your family history. There are a lot of ways you could incorporate your ancestors into your reunion. Sharing stories, acting out stories, family trivia, distributing family recipes, and even crossword puzzles with family names and significant places can all be fun ways to help teach younger generations about their rich history.
- Hold a movie night. Find an outdoor projection screen and have everyone gather for a fun outdoor movie night. Don't forget the popcorn.
- Craft together. Do you have a crafty relative in your family? Invite them to choose a couple of crafts and set up a table. Family members can create something special while getting to know each other better.
- Bond on the high seas. If your family can afford it, a cruise provides an ultra-fun, no-hassle reunion opportunity.
- Include a religious aspect. If you are a religious family, you may want to include a special Bible study, prayer, church service, or other spiritual activity, including community service projects.
- Hit the town. If you are gathering for multiple days in a new destination, give relatives a chance to see their surroundings. You can break up into smaller groups to hit up local tours, shopping, amusement parks, and more. Plan outings to fit different age groups and interests. Make sure everyone wears their matching shirts. It makes it easy to stick together and helps you feel connected.
Being able to gather with family is a blessing that should not be taken for granted. Fun activities will provide the framework for your gathering, but the real magic will happen when you come together with the strength and unity that only family bonds can provide.