Liberia’s Inaugural ‘Journey Home’ Festival: Celebrating Juneteenth and Its Significance

1. Overview of the Journey Home Festival

This year’s Journey Home Festival coincides with the bicentennial anniversary of the first free Black Americans coming to Liberia.

2. The Significance of Liberia for African Americans

In recent years, Black Americans have flocked to West Africa in larger numbers — some guided by ancestry-tracing DNA test results hoping to explore their roots on the continent. Senegal and Ghana have become hot spots for these often culturally minded travelers. However, entrepreneurs Saqar Ahhah Ahershu and Den Tut Rayay say a major player is missing from the conversation: Liberia.

3. The Journey Home Festival Overview

This pair of entrepreneurs is working to change that by hosting the first-ever Journey Home Festival (JHF) in Liberia. Taking place June 17-26, 2022, the festival not only invites travelers to celebrate Juneteenth in a meaningful way, but also commemorates the bicentennial anniversary of when free-born and formerly enslaved Black Americans first landed on the shores of Liberia’s Providence Island.

4. History of Liberia and Its Importance

“What better place to celebrate the freedom of slaves than in a country founded by freed slaves?” Ahershu remarked, pointing out Liberia’s strong historical connection for Black Americans.

On January 7, 1822, the first group of Black American settlers arrived in present-day Monrovia, Liberia’s capital, as part of a scheme by the American Colonization Society (ACS). Motivated by racism and fear of the growing number of free Black people in the U.S., ACS formed the colony of Liberia and sent approximately 16,000 Black Americans there throughout the 19th century.

5. Festival Activities and Attractions

Eventually, Liberians began governing themselves, and in 1847, became the world’s second Black republic (after Haiti) and the first republic in Africa. During the Journey Home Festival, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about this unique history that earned Liberia its moniker as the “Land of the Return.”

Ahershu highlights the contrast between the narratives of other popular African destinations, stating, “When African Americans go to Ghana or Senegal, they’re mostly visiting the Gate of No Return… Liberia’s narrative is almost the opposite of that.”

As part of the festival programming, attendees will visit Providence Island, the JJ Roberts Monument, and Demen Village, where they will engage with the Gola Tribe, Liberia’s oldest Indigenous people.

Ahershu also mentioned that there is a growing interest in lost Black culture, and Liberia is an ideal place to explore and fill that void. Moreover, participants will attend a film festival featuring Liberian-made movies from some of the country’s top producers, actors, and directors.

Additionally, festival-goers will experience the incredible hospitality of the Liberian people. They will have the chance to explore the country’s stunning natural beauty, including visits to Blue Lake, Kpatawee Waterfalls, and Cape Mount, known for its exceptional surfing opportunities.

6. Business Opportunities at the Festival

While the Journey Home Festival is full of fun and enriching experiences, it also aims to highlight opportunities for entrepreneurs to invest in Liberia. Day five of the 10-day event will feature a Business Exchange, where attendees can network with various Liberian government officials and business leaders.

According to Ahershu, those with a growth mindset—business people, contractors, philanthropists, and investors—will find immense value in the Business Exchange. It will include guest speakers, a luncheon, and open discussions about the advantages, challenges, and potential of living, working, and investing in Liberia.

7. Future Plans for the Journey Home Festival

Looking ahead, Ahershu and fellow JHF co-founder Rayay plan to host this multi-day event three times per year starting in 2023. The festivities will commence in February, aligning with U.S. Black History Month, focusing on Liberia’s rich culture and history. Subsequently, in June, the festival will once again welcome all travelers, but particularly Black Americans, to celebrate Juneteenth meaningfully in West Africa. The year will conclude with a December festival focused on entertainment during the holiday season, inviting many of the Liberian diaspora back home.

8. Final Thoughts on the Journey Home Festival

Through its diverse programming, the overarching vision of the Journey Home Festival is clear:

“What we hope travelers get out of the trip is to feel a sense of liberation, a sense of freedom that they may have not felt before,” Ahershu explains. “We hope that the festival dismisses much of the misinformation about Liberia and fosters sustainable relationships between Liberians, African Americans, and tourists interested in visiting the country.”

Rates for this year’s Journey Home Festival start at $4,999 per person, including flights from the U.S., accommodations, transportation, all activities, and most meals. For more information about this festival and the upcoming 2023 festivals, visit the official JHF website here.