Entertainment
27 May, 2022
Celebrating the diverse Cairns’ African community
THIS year’s Cairns African Festival on Saturday, May 28, will see talented locals perform alongside award-winning headlining interstate acts, celebrating the cultural diversity of the region’s growing African community.
President of festival organisers Cairns African Association, Anna Wairimu Jones, said Cairns was home to many African cultures.
“With at least 13 of Africa’s 54 countries represented in the Cairns community, we Africans have many things in common with each other and the wider community. We look forward to celebrating together—Pamoja ‘as one’ in Kiswahili language,” Ms Wairimu Jones said.
The Cairns African Festival recognises both Africa Day (May 25) and the International Day of the African Child (June 16).
“Association members will be selling African products and regional foods, with the youth providing energetic performances,” Ms Wairimu Jones said.
“The Association always encourages a cross-section of the African community to highlight the unique contribution that their diversity makes to our region.”
In addition, free drumming workshops will be held in the morning, with various African stalls available throughout the afternoon and evening for shopping and showcasing traditional food, African crafts, and hair braiding.
Jack Manasi and The Afro Kick Band (Congo) are the first headlining act.
The second headlining act is the Guinean master drummer and dancer, Epizo Bangoura.
Other highlights include a fashion parade and performances by traditional Rwandan, Ethiopian and Congolese dancers and contemporary African dance groups.
There will be charity stalls that directly support projects in Africa and the opportunity for people to try out traditional Kenyan Maasai dresses and have their photo taken.
“This festival really is a showcase of African unity, not just in Africa but also across Cairns, where the community has embraced us, and we have embraced them.” Ms Wairimu Jones said.
