THIS WEEK IN SAMINAKA--JUNE 15 TO 21

THE MIDDLE PASSAGE EXPERIENCE continues through June 30. Use this interactive tool to find out more about the African beginnings of this horrific voyage by choosing one of 10 specific identities, complete with bios and clothing. As this individual, walk towards the coast--there's a slide show about the trade and many of the coastal ports. Walk through the Door of No Return, a reproduction of the real monument from Ouidah, Republic of Benin, and pass the mourning egungun masquerades as you step onto a raft modeled after the famous slave ship diagram. Flowers honor the dead, and recite sections of voyage narratives when clicked. At the ship's prow, look for a second box with your character's name, and receive your new name, destination in the Americas, and strange new clothing. A notecard with reminiscences tells you what happened in the character's later life. Make history come alive and mourn with us over the lives lost, as well as celebrate the contributions that these unwilling migrants made to the United States.

SAMINAKA'S ORANGE TREASURE HUNT continues through June xx. Have terrific fun wearing your calabash and gathering 20 different prizes, hidden in oranges near the animals on the sim. It's all African animal oriented--see our slide show that gives some clues about animals to look for (as well as pictures and info about Nigerian fauna generally), and enjoy prizes that include references to animal patterns, pictures, etc. Clothes, shoes, furniture, art, jewelry all hidden in those oranges--and anything gender related, like shoes or clothes, is boxed with something for each sex, and is transferable.