Recently, the city of Toronto was agog with the best of African theatrical culture, as it played host to the second edition of the Pan-Afrika Drum Festival, an event that celebrated the rich African heritage.
Held on June 27th and 28th, the festival attracted a diverse array of attendees, including government officials, dignitaries, Afro-Canadians, and cultural enthusiasts from around the globe.
While celebrating the African heritage, it fostered multicultural understanding and collaboration in Canada. The festival also underscored the importance of preserving cultural traditions and promoting cultural exchange in a globalised world.
By showcasing the beauty and diversity of African culture, the festival left a lasting impression on attendees and set the stage for future celebrations. Promoted by Prince Segun Akanni, the festival seeks to foster global unity and multicultural appreciation through the vibrant mediums of drumming, dance, and art.
In his welcome address, Akanni, the chief convener, articulated the festival’s theme, “Exploring the Dynamism of African Drums and Canadian Multiculturalism for Global Unity, Inclusivity, and Development,” and emphasised the need to preserve the continent’s cultural heritage.
Akanni described African culture as dynamic, rich and accommodating, with potential to drive growth and stimulate human interactions. He stated: “The beautiful African drum, which comes in different shapes and sizes, is symbolic and serves as a catalyst for community and societal growth, progress, and sustainable development.”
In his opening remark, he announced plans to establish a cultural centre in Toronto, Brampton or Mississauga. This centre will feature unique paintings, artworks, Canadian and African traditional drums, artefacts and other cultural and historical items.
Akanni called for support from the Ontario, Toronto and Brampton governments to make this initiative a reality, emphasising the centre’s potential to foster learning and cultural exchange.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a goodwill message celebrating Africa’s rich culture and diversity. He noted the significant contributions Canadians of African descent have made across various fields and expressed his appreciation for the festival’s role in highlighting these achievements.
Trudeau’s message reflected the Canadian government’s commitment to multiculturalism and its recognition of the festival as an important cultural event. Ghanaian High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Anselm Sowah, applauded Prince Akanni for his passion and dedication to promoting African cultural heritage. Attending the event out of curiosity, Sowah was impressed by the festival’s organisation and presentation, calling Akanni a “cultural superhero.”
His message reflected the pride and support of the Ghanaian community for the festival’s success. Also commending the festival’s organisers was Ontario Premier, Doug Ford. He praised them for their dedication to promoting Afrioca’s cultural heritage.
In his message, he described the festival as an opportunity to explore the dynamism of African drums alongside Ontario’s multicultural tapestry. Ford expressed hope that the festival’s spirit of harmony, diversity, and unity would resonate widely, underscoring the event’s significance in celebrating cultural diversity.
Expressing appreciation of Akanni’s foresight in organising the festival and encouraged participants to be inspired by the rhythms of African drums, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, highlighted the pivotal role of drum in African cultural identity and its ability to convey messages of peace and solidarity.
Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton also extended his support, thanking Akanni for his efforts in curating such a wonderful event. He expressed pride in the festival’s team and noted the event’s endorsement by the Ooni of Ife as a testament to its cultural significance.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, also sent a goodwill message, emphasising the importance of cultural heritage in building bridges between communities and nations.
She highlighted how events like the Pan-Afrika Drum Festival can help preserve African traditions while fostering greater understanding and cooperation globally.
Mayor Olivia Chow of Toronto noted that the event provided a unique opportunity to learn about drumming, which plays a significant role in ceremonial events and community rituals in Pan-African culture.
The Osun State government was well-represented at the festival by the Commissioner for Youth, Moshood Olagunju, and Mrs. Olu Jenyo, who represented Chief (Mrs.) Ngozi Adeleke, the wife of the Governor of Osun State, as the Mother of the Day.
Their presence underscored the support of Nigerian state governments in promoting cultural initiatives abroad, reflecting a shared vision of cultural preservation and global unity.
The festival featured captivating performances by diverse drumming and dance groups, including the Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival Drummers, Kamingo Cultural Troupe from East Africa, Brazilian Reggae Drummers, Asian Hips Don’t Lie Dancers, Brazilian Samba Dancers, Efik Cultural Troupe, and Ekiti Cultural Troupe. These performances showcased the rich tapestry of global cultural traditions, captivating the audience with their vibrancy and diversity.
The festival’s vibrant atmosphere and diverse performances left a lasting impression on attendees, inspiring them to continue exploring and celebrating the richness of African traditions.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognising Canadians, Africans, and Afro-Canadians who have distinguished themselves in cultural promotion and other fields.
