Southern Purification, 2021

Historically, water has played a central role for both religious and spiritual practices among many cultures throughout the world—with Black Americans being no exception. The Black American Christian outdoor baptismal tradition of using rivers, lakes, and bayous for the ritual of washing away sins and rebirth was commonplace—particularly in the south, while indoor baptism pools was/are widely used in the urban north.

Outdoor baptismal ritual (sometimes secret) in the Black community isn’t just a personal affair for the person undergoing the practice. On the contrary is it a communal affair which has been passed down from generation to generation reinforcing their devotion to the Christian faith and principles.

In the backdrop is the First African Baptist church located in Savannah, Georgia. However, one should not be confused by the name “First African Baptist Church” as the first African Baptist Church as other churches (such as South Carolina’s Silver Bluff Baptist Church and Virginia’s First Baptist Church) have contested who established the “first Black baptist church.”

Nevertheless, the First African Baptist Church was founded in the late 18th century by slaves — which survives to this day — is a testament to the resiliency of those humble forefathers and foremothers of this institution which also played a role in the Underground Railroad and later the Civil Rights movement.