© 2026 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

How Did Black Graveyards Become Battlegrounds of Resistance?

Season 1 Episode 1 | 11m 56s

A proper burial is a ceremony that many of us take for granted, but that was not the case for African Americans for much of U.S. history. From a man honoring his duty as caretaker for his ancestors’ cemetery to a woman fighting to protect the sacred burial sites of her enslaved ancestors, we learn how taking care of the dead became an act of resilience in the American South.

Aired: 02/13/23
Funding for RITUAL is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Extras
The cast play a game of "What's in the vet bag?" with sentimental props from the series.
Get ready for the all-new season, coming January 17, 2027 at 9/8c.
Miss Scarlet returns for Season 7, the final season, on January 17, 2027 at 8/7c.
Celebrate the legacy of Gene Wilder, the actor behind Willy Wonka and Young Frankenstein.
Ryan Murphy reimagines 'Go, Tell It on the Mountain' in a joyful orchestral setting.
A beloved Christmas hymn gets a bold new twist in this festive organ and percussion showcase.
Sebastian Arcelus joins a joyful Christmas tradition in this vibrant Latin American holiday carol.
Stephanie J. Block pairs two beloved classics that find comfort, joy, and gratitude in every season.
Julián Mansilla and Leandro Curaba partner with The Tabernacle Choir in this moving tango.
Watch Stephanie J. Block perform "What Child is This? with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra.
Latest Episodes
All
Queen Nqwamary's search for her roots led her to a royal African lineage.
Tank Ball explores the history of second lines in New Orleans.
This episode expands the definition of ritual into communication.
Tank Ball meets duck hunters and reexamines one of humanity’s oldest rituals - the hunt.
Tank Ball learns about the sacred Green Corn Ceremony practiced by Indigenous communities.
Tank Ball explores the musical tradition of corridos at the U.S. - Mexico Border.
Tank Ball discovers the significance of river baptisms for the Black community.
Tank Ball explores the spiritual practice of Hoodoo and the ritual of ancestral worship.
Tank Ball explores the Super Sunday ritual of Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans.
Join Tank Ball as she explores the Haitian Independence Day ritual of making soup joumou.