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The Cahawba, Alabama Archaeological preserve

Old Cahawba Alibamu Capital

Lillie and I enjoyed a Journey of Appreciation to an impressive location just southwest of a cool small “Town” called “Beloit, Alabama” and just northwest of a “city” that needs little introduction due to historical struggles, “Selma, Alabama”. It is worthy of note: Cahawba (Alabama Territory) and Catawba (North and South Carolina Territory) must have a similar denotative meaning especially when certain ancient artifacts and connective waterways (Tennessee River) corroborate said evidence. The damage incurred to Catawba Matriarchal Heritage sites due to colonial occupation is akin to the destruction imposed upon the Cahawba Mound Centers at the Old Capital of Alibamu (more research is necessary on the linguistic connections, i.e Algonquian, Lenape).

We traveled the back roads as we customarily do in order to experience more realism from the good People of the land and also to support them within our means to do so. Our choice to follow through gifted us greatly. We traveled along “Highways “5”, “14”, “45”, “County Road 9” and others. Along the journey, we noticed the changing elevations in the landscape, the peaks and valleys of Territory, small road-bridges that crossed myriads of creeks, unto rivers. We love to see tall green trees especially longleaf pine which appeared absent on the Estate. We saw magnitudes of hardwoods especially oaks, some palmetto palms, wiregrass, dandelion, plantago, etc. We watched for potential flood plains especially in the valleys. The Sky was poetically beautiful and at times reflected a rich royal blue. Our senses were delighted.

As we got closer to Cahawba (Old Capital), we noticed a road sign that signified “Perry” Lake to our left. Still desiring to experience our hefty schedule, we continued on; however, if we would have known the historical significance of the waterway and the People who surrounded it, we would have taken more time to document the experience. Fortunately, we learned that others who domicile in the territory have done so. I'd like to read their works and I'd really like to talk with the families directly.

Further down the road a piece, we noticed a sign for a historic marker 1500 feet ahead. We slowed our pace further and noticed a large, reddish-brown brick, single story building with window frames and borders painted white, coming up on the left. We needed a brief break from the miles and I pulled off the road to gather pictures. I didn't notice, I was too far off to the left and got stuck near the railroad tracks ($h!+). It was only a few moments when the first of three heroes appeared and helped us. We contemplated the best way to get unstuck, then another man stopped to help. Wow! In little time we had blissful remedy just before yet another kind hero stopped to help.

Lillie proceeded to document the history with pen and paper and I grabbed a camera to record the signage, building, landscape, gazebo, pavilion, etc. The signage read, “The Beloit Industrial Institute founded in 1888...” It turns out the first man who helped us was directly related to some of the Alumni who attended the institute many, many years ago. He called his wife to bring further clarity on the history, the town, the rivers and nearby waterways to include “Perry Lake” and also family experiences with the Freedmen Bureau. We have done extensive research on the Freedmen Bureau in Tallahassee and were delighted to gain greater insight. It is an esteemed honor to talk with passionate people who are aware of their family heritage and willing to share their experiences. We look forward to traveling back to this lovely Territory as we were generously invited to enjoy a good meal and experience more of that lovely Southern Hospitality. Our lives were enriched by such wonderful people in so splendid a place.

Continuing along the roadway, we saw a large sign that pointed the direction towards Cahawba, a location of an Aboriginal Mound Center. Still resonating from our recent blissful experience, we declared our gratitude and increased our awareness further on the surrounding terrain and vegetation. We both noticed what appeared to be earthen embankments about 100 feet off the roadway (six to eight feet high) through the dense foliage. We are not sure of its original construction; however, we have witnessed and documented similar earthen embankments and mound rings built by the Mound Builders throughout America, particularly among what has been termed the “Hopewellian Culture” (erroneously) and the Mississippian Culture; from Octagon Mounds in Ohio; to the Okeeheepkee Mounds and further. More research and documentation is very necessary.

What has become apparent to us is that, at times these embankments remain even though thousands of Aboriginal mounds have been destroyed and used as fill for road and railroad infrastructure. And lets talk about what happened in “Oxford” and the destruction of National monuments using “private corporate policies”. Moors, please research “Section 106 of the NHPA”. It is with sincere regret for me to state that the Aboriginal Moorish American flat-top, ceremonial mound at this particular site (the temple center of an entire village) was destroyed under colonial powers potentially 80 to 100 years ago. There is still valid structural evidence remaining. We must be vigilant because it is an unfortunate occurrence when Aboriginal monuments are destroyed. This has happened much more recently, less than a decade ago in Alabama at “Oxford”. Do the research on the mayor's dealing with the SHAREHOLDERS OF SAM'S CLUB WALMART. Along with this awareness, it must also be noted that genuine concern for Aboriginal People and preservation of our Heritage is appreciated.

As we passed through the gates of the “Old Cahawba Archaeological Preserve” we traveled slowly down the street in search of the information center. We approached an old “Gothic” style church constructed with wood that had mostly turned gray over time. It appeared well preserved especially since it was moved from its original location due to water levels. We stopped to document, and then went to the information center for a site map in order to locate the trail to the creek and river and also find the location of the Aboriginal Mound, or in this case...where it used to be before being destroyed and dismantled.

There was a sign at the start of the trail labeled, “Black Belt Transformations” which reads, “Alabama's Black Belt Region derives its name from a narrow sash of dark, fertile soil across the state's midsection”. Particular crops grow quite well in this dark rich soil, i.e. cotton and rice. We have seen numerous cotton fields growing abundantly in the autumn season throughout the area even at the Oakville Mounds near the Jesse Owens Museum. The “Black Belt” is also said to have a cultural reference for People said to be “Negro, Black, or Colored” when not accurately referring to one's Nationality. As the Aboriginal People continue to awaken and gain a greater understanding of their Divine Birthrights, to include the Treaties and the Constitution, Divine Principles further guide and support their efforts. The “Black Belt” from a cultural perspective is said to be the birth place of the “Civil Rights Movement” for reasons that, though heavily promulgated in colonial school systems and the media, are also only partially accurate and more dangerously, misleading. It has been researched and documented that the land which is most fertile has the poorest people living upon it, statistically.

We walked along a nature trail that led to a canoe launch at Clear Lake into the Cahaba River. Peering into the forest terrain more closely while avoiding spider webs and watching out for snakes on the ground filled with pine needles, various leaves and ground cover, we gained greater insight. Soon after we saw a small white cottage demonstrably elevated above the plane. As we observed closer, it became obvious that it was on a mound and I suspected strongly that there was science behind the organic structure. When was it constructed though? (likely, well before the cottage). We documented the experience and continued on.

We walked along side an embankment for more than 100 feet which had a variation of mature, hardwood trees growing atop as we moved back to the concrete sidewalk. There was no signage about the embankment's construction nor any reference to it on the guide map we carried. The questions started to stack as we moved closer towards the waterway. Eventually we spotted a clearing through the tree line, a dozen yards or so from the embankments, and could vaguely see sunlight shimmering off opaque water. Moments later, with the waterway in clear sight, we became excited though the current of the creek was modest. Water flow will likely pick up pace about 100 yards from this point, closer towards the Cahaba. We spent the previous day tracking tributaries that lead towards the Cahaba River, with pitched elevations and much faster movements, all while hoping to appreciate the uniqueness of the Cahaba Lily (apparently out of season).

We then continued our journey to what has been called the “Negro Burial Grounds” which was said to be clearly identified on earlier (Colonial) maps of the territory. We know that the “labels” used were pejorative to Aboriginal People however, we still needed to honor the lives of our People, wherever we find ourselves. We walked across a large verdant field encompassed by a dense forest and meditated momentarily in the warm sunlight. Peace

As we neared closer to the treeline, we saw a wooden fence and a tall post and gathered a guide map of the burial grounds from the box attached. Upon entering the shade of the hammock, we approached and crossed a small, old, wooden foot bridge gingerly, and were greeted by a bold citrusy scent (sharper than oranges) from the tall patch of fruit bearing trees before us. The branches of the tree bore large, sharp thorns, which we hadn't seen before on a citrus tree. On the guide map it was identified as Poncirus trifoliata and said to be a native of China that was used as an impenetrable hedge.

We then approached the first burial area which was gated with an iron fence for protection. There were two tombstones. The Large one read “Amelia Nov, 15, 1889 At Rest” the smaller was engraved with the initials, “A. S.”. We paused to appreciate the lives of these two aspects of Divine Spirit once garbed in flesh and now, returned to the earth. We observed the trees and the plants in the understory and the dirt pathway covered with small dried branches and decaying leaves crunching under our footsteps. The blissful sun found its way through the dense foliage of the shady hammock, ensuring the growth and flourishing of new plant life. Peace

Standing on a high bluff, over looking the merging of two rivers is a welcoming sight and certainly has gifted us with an enhanced appreciation for the generosity of Divine Creation. Though I realize there is only one water scientifically and calling aspects of the same essence by “various names” is a bit of a play on words, I celebrated the union/reunion. It is said that the Alabama River is the main artery that runs through the territory which begins its journey approximately near the “Montgomery Alabama” territory at the merging of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers. The Cahaba River is said to be the chief tributary of the Alabama River and these waterways coalesce at Cahawba, Alabama. This is more than likely one of the key reasons our parental energies selected such a place and skillfully built a significant Mound Center at this location. Necessary crops can readily be grown in the fertile, dark soil for the health and happiness of the People and the land is teeming with valuable minerals with all three “classifications” of bedrock (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) apparent, finding their way to the surface in this and nearby, central territories.

The ability to navigate all the way to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, from this elevated, inland location, was and is vitally important for a thriving Nation. It offers the means to share and trade resources for demanding needs and civilized living. Science, nutrition, construction, art, philanthropy and more are substantive reasons to share abundantly by honorable means. With such natural resources at hand and the Heritage of how to cultivate them, Moor Americans have been exceedingly generous with each other and humanity at large, whether others were in their dark ages or thriving. It is part of our Zodiac Constitution, Blood Rights, and moral obligation to do so. Moors accomplished work that was falsely perceived as insurmountable, rendering it doable and done. As freely as the flow of an unobstructed river, we rise and resonate in union.

Peace,

Jamal Richardson Bey