Cultural fun at African celebration

Photo: Laura Wild

A member of the Black Eagle acrobat group

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Rochdale’s biggest festival for African music and culture took place this evening (Saturday 31 July 2010).

Vibrant rhythms and melodies were just some of the things on offer at the Karibu Africa Festival held at the Heywood Civic Centre.

The festival, organised by NESTAC (New Step for African Community) is now in its fifth year and was attended by many people from across the borough keen to learn more about African culture.

Guests were treated to an unusual opening to the celebrations as they were asked to go outside where they were entertained by the Black Eagle acrobat group.

Once the acrobat show had finished guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali and Rochdale’s MP Simon Danczuk headed back inside for an evening filled with culture.

A pair of Indian dancers aged just 7 and 8 years old called Nytya Joyti took to the stage where their performance was a hit with the crowd.

Following the dancers, the Hebron Church Choir performed to help set the mood for the evening.

As the evening continues guests will enjoy international food, a fashion show and a drumming performance courtesy of the NESTAC drumming and dance troupe.

Peggy Mulongo from NESTAC said: “The main aim of tonight is to celebrate diversity and to promote the African culture.

“When this started five years ago people didn’t know a lot about us so this annual event is to show who we are and what we have been up to over the year and to give people in the chance to discover Africa.”

Mayor Ali was very impressed with the “good feeling” in the room, he said: “It is wonderful that this kind of thing is taking place in Heywood and it is so nice to see so many mixed communities here they all seem to be enjoying themselves.

“My congratulations go to NESTAC for getting this event together for members of the community.”