Civic Center in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Triumph of the Human Spirit
1992-2000
Triumph of the Human Spirit
1992-2000
This sculpture is dedicated to all the unknown and unnamed Africans brought to this country including the 427 Africans excavated near this site which is now the rediscovered New York City African Burial Ground.
My inspiration for the concept of this sculpture comes from the Bamana people of Mali, West Africa. The vertical portion of the sculpture represents the male and female antelopes from the Chi Wara headdresses. The Chi Wara rests on a horizontal plane which symbolizes the canoes used by Native Americans, the slaving vessels that transported African men, women and children and the passenger ships that brought immigrants to this country. The part of the granite on which these words are inscribed represents the land.
Triumph of the Human Spirit soars high above this plaza as a memorial to our ancestors and to the legacy of our endurance against the odds. It is also a tribute to the memory of my mother, Mary Clark Pace, 1916-91. The original lock shown below was worn by my great-great grandfather, Steve Pace, during his enslavement. The key symbolizes his freedom. The lock and key were passed on to me by my uncle, Julius Pace, in 1991.
Lorenzo Pace
Side panel
Chi Wara
The headdresses depicted above are from the Bamana people of Mali, West Africa. These headdresses, known as “Chi Wara,” represent mythical male and female “antelopes” that the Bamana believe taught people to farm, thus to survive.
The female antelope is distinguished from the male by the young fawn carried on her back. Symbolically, the male represents the sun, the female represents the earth, and the fawn represents humankind. In dance performances, pairs of male and female Chi Wara taught, praised and encourage good farming. In addition, the antelopes dancing together symbolize cooperation between men and women to produce a successful harvest.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1991.
Location. 40° 42.867′ N, 74° 0.175′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Civic Center. Marker is at the intersection of Centre Street and Duane Street, on the left when traveling north on Centre Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Foley Square c. 1800 (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Paine Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Judge Walter R. Mansfield Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Foley Square c. 1730 (within shouting distance of this marker); Foley Square c. 1880 (within shouting distance of this marker); New York County Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Civic Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); African Burial Ground (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The African Burial Ground
Also see . . . Honoring the African-American Experience / Triumph of the Human Spirit. Official NYC Parks description. (Submitted on April 13, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 703 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 17, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.