Brooklyn Ceremony Honoring Bodies of Water

GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK —

Golden Drum, a Brooklyn-based non-profit dedicated to educating the community on traditions of indigenous people worldwide, held a ceremony honoring bodies of water on the shore of the East River at WNYC Transmitter Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. The occasion promoted protecting water from waste and coincides with Climate Week when world leaders and activists have been convening at the United Nations to discuss initiatives regarding pollution and climate change.

Ivy Smith, also known as Aunty Ivy, a Polynesian, Asian and European descendant and cultural ambassador of her ancestors’ traditions led the water ceremony as an honored guest. Ivy was born in New Zealand. She sang, chanted mantras and taught the nearly 60 visitors rituals to revere water, an element considered sacred in many indigenous cultures.

The day began at Golden Drum in Greenpoint where Smith started the ceremony. Then, the group walked to WNYC Transmitter Park by the shore of the East River. There, members performed a ceremony where they cupped their hands as water was poured into them. Subsequently, they were given ground flakes of tobacco to hold which they blew towards the East River. A red feather blessed by the founder of Golden Drum, Manuel Rufino, a Taino elder, was cast into the East River. The members then played music to celebrate.

Camera: Nikon D90. Nikon 18-55 mm zoom lens. Nikon 70-300 mm telephoto zoom lens.

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