A bunch of our faves went to the motherland to celebrate the origins of the culture and ring in the new year.

The group was led by actor Boris Kudjoe, who hosted the Full Circle Festival in Ghana, an event dedicated to honoring “our ancestry by celebrating our heritage and generational legacy,” according to Ghana Web.

Of course, Soul Food star brought his lovely wife and former costar Nicole Ari Parker, who sported a beautiful afro for the occasion. 


Gabourey Sidibe was also there and looked fly as hell in this vibrant 'fit.

The admittedly emotional Empire star also filmed a powerful speech given during the festival about the African diaspora. "This is what we were doing in #Ghana. We were returning home," she wrote. 

Sidibe's costar Ta'Rhonda Jones also had a powerful experience. 

Rosario Dawson was clearly living her best life as she walked the beach and got some drank poured into her mouth. 

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#FullCircleFestival Happy New Year 2019 Accra, Ghana

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These two beautiful hunks of chocolate, Idris Elba and Michael Jai White, linked up. 

Elba got busy reminding folks he's nasty on those turntables. 

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Much respect @idriselba ✊????✊????

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While White took in the sights with his wife and Kodjoe.

 

Model and reality star Cynthia Bailey showed off her motherland-given features and struck a pose. 

Rapper Jidenna, who is half Nigerian, performed while on the trip. He wrote he believes the festival "will go down in the history books as a turning point for Black people around the world."

Baby Boy star A.J. Johnson forged a spiritual connection by getting baptized in the waters that once carried the ancestors away on slave ships.

"As these sacred waters wash over me. I cry for them. I feel their love and gratitude that I have not forgotten them or their journey and I have a firm grip on the torch they pass. It has taken 400 years but I’m here," she wrote. 

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*swipe left* 2018 was a year of highest ONLY GOD blessings and valleys deeper than ever before filled with loss. I knew all of it was allowed in my journey to build my more. Not just because I know that’s how God works but I could feel it. Through it all I felt more evolution more elevation more physical strength- more mind expansion and I KNEW more patience and more increase was my destiny. As I started the new calendar year yesterday and my personal new year today- I understand that there is sooo much more for me to do and receive… yup the more FOR me requires more FROM me so in preparation God has me here-in Africa- in the spirit filled waters of Ghana- surrounded by my #fullcirclefestival tribe and all their love and support-restoring myself-recommitting myself -confirming- receiving all that is my inheritance left for me by HIM through our ancestors. As these sacred waters wash over me. I cry for them. I feel their love and gratitude that I have not forgotten them or their journey and I have a firm grip on the torch they pass. It has taken 400 years but I’m here-my mom and dad didn’t make it but IM here- I am evidence of the full circle- I have broken the myth behind the enslaved African’s door of no return. I am here- I returned and I’m claiming- Owning- celebrating -standing in my power- ready to walk in it even bolder than before…and THIS is the best birthday gift EVER!!!! Happy RE birthday to me. Amen #Jan02 ????????????????????????

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This trip was very personal for Kodjoe because his late father was from Ghana. During the trip, he posted a touching tribute to his pops.

"My love for #Ghana is part of my identity. It's in my DNA, in my soul. I come back here because I want to feel connected to that part of me. I feel whole. I feel his spirit with me as I'm walking the streets he grew up on. This was his home. Now it is mine,"  he wrote. 

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