Traditional African rhythms, sounds, colours and flavours will be on offer during the fourth annual A Taste of African Cultures celebration on Saturday, 4th of May. St Paul’s African House will be filled with cultural displays showcasing the rich traditions of different African cultures in regional Victoria in celebration of talent, music, drumming, dancing and cuisine.
St Paul’s African House will be filled with cultural displays showcasing the rich traditions of different African cultures in regional Victoria in celebration of talent, music, drumming, dancing and cuisine.
African House volunteer manager Steve Little said attendees could expect an action-packed program. ‘This year we have performances from One Spirit Africa who are a drumming group that have performed in lots of different places,’ Mr Little said. He said the drumming workshops were so well received last year that they would kick-start the event this year.
‘The workshops last year went off of with a hit — pardon the pun — and this year they will be led by Fred Addo, the leader of One Spirit Africa,’ Mr Little said.
Last year more than 500 people attended the celebration. ‘It’s an opportunity for the wider community to show appreciation of the diverse range of cultures that represent the African Australians who live in and around Shepparton,’ Mr Little said.
He said African House and the Goulburn Valley African Australian Association had been working to put the event together. Goulburn Valley African Australian Association president Charles Oguntade said the event helped people understand the African culture. ‘Culture is a will of life and this is how our people identify ourselves, with food and social time,’ Mr Oguntade said.
‘The one thing I have learnt is that African Australians know how to party and have a good time,’’ Mr Little said.
A Taste of African Cultures will be held at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 54 Poplar Ave, Shepparton, tomorrow from 2pm to 8pm.
Article and Images courtesy Shepparton News
