Two events are planned this weekend in Yellowknife to celebrate Africa Day including a new event called Bites & Beats.
The free pre-gala event will include African snacks, live music and a chance to hang out with artists.
It’s meant to introduce people to African food and culture said Munya Mataruse, the event organizer and a local musician.
“I would say it’s actually a learning platform. What does this food mean, and how does it grow? How do they grow their plants?” he said.
Africa Day, observed annually on May 25, commemorates the foundation of the Organization of African Unity in 1963, which was succeeded by the African Union in 2002.
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For Mataruse, celebrating Africa Day brings diversity to Yellowknife and exposes people to different genres of music. He said it’s an event that has grown over the last four years.
“Many people say, ‘I want to go to Africa and experience the music.’ But we’ve got African musicians here,” he said. “If you just go out there and listen to them playing, you can have that same experience – we are just trying to make people feel like they’ve traveled somewhere.”
Mataruse said the real value of the celebration lies in the blending of cultures.
He said coming to Canada and learning about the culture was important, but he also appreciates being able to express his African culture.
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“We are learning from them and we are also teaching them our lifestyle. I think it’s something that brings multiculturalism to Canada,” he said.
Bites & Beats is set to take place on Friday starting at 6pm at YK Hidden Gem.
That will be followed by a ticketed gala with an African attire theme at the Elks Lodge on Saturday at 8pm. It will feature live music from Nashie Zim, The Co-op, Munya Mataruse and Friends, Mcackin, and Tatenda Viyali.
