Elmina is a coastal town that once operated as the colonial capital of the Gold Coast before Cape Coast and Accra. Its name comes from the Portuguese for “the mine,” but mostly the economy is based around fishing. Elmina is bordered by the shining blue coast and is divided by Elmina Lagoon. Soon after we arrived, we attended a festival centered around the opening of the fishing season called Edina Baktue. A procession of cheifs and clan leaders headed by the preminent cheif marched through the main street. They were carried in baskets by groups of men and escorted by dancers and musicians. One we arrived at the lagoon a series of boat races took place sponsored by local businesses. Then ceremonial washing occured of the high cheif. Afterwards two men went out in a traditional boat to cast for fish in a ritual to test if the fishing season would be successful. Once they had pulled in their net fish were spotted. Musket fire announced the opening of the season. Everyone in town stood around the water to watch the spectacle unfold. There were visitors from all over, including delegations from The Netherlands and Czechia, as well as a whole ship of women from Suriname on a quest to find their lost African home. Elmina once served as the final stop before the middle passage and the history of the town is steeped in the conflict of identity to surround it. It was beautiful to witness the repatriation and the celebration that homecoming entailed.