September 17, 2016
It was a beautiful Saturday morning for the celebration of African culture in the city of Adelaide. The venue was the famous Victoria Square in the centre of the Adelaide CBD and the event was the Unmasked African festival, a brainchild of the African communities’ council of South Australia.
African communities parade at the Unmasked African Festival in Adelaide
Different African communities were represented in the crowd, as well as through the various presentations, including in poetry, dance, drama, and music. Besides music and dance, the crowds were treated to the best of African cuisine from the various stalls from all the different African nations represented. The atmosphere was electric as the rhythms of Africa rent through the crisp September air, it was like a cry for the coming of summer.
Many Adelaideans were treated to the unique music and dance from Africa and they could not resist the beats that rolled over them as they stopped by to listen to the unique rhythms and songs. They also stopped to admire the unique cultural outfits worn by the people present and those on various displays.
During the course of the day the skies opened up in showers of blessing and in typical African style, the crowds refused to leave and danced to the rhythm of the raindrops till it was evening. Performing were various local groups from Ghana, Liberia, and the Congo with a local DJ spinning Nigerian and Congolese rhythms for the crowd. A mix of the old the youth and even the kids were not left out as we all celebrated our African heritage beneath the pouring rain. The unmasked show has become a staple in the Adelaide city festival timetable and with time will grow to be a major attraction for all Adelaide citizens.
Tare Raine
AMA South Australia
