The 25th May is celebrated as Africa Day among Africans in Africa and the diaspora. About 11 African countries including Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe declared this day as a public holiday while others like South Africa officially observe it in a special way.
After offering a libation to the African ancestors, the participants celebrating with a traditional dance.
This year, 2021, an information and learning center on African Spirituality in Malawi called Nzika Muliyenda hosted a cultural event to celebrate Africa Day that was held in Ndirande township in Blantyre on Saturday 22 May 2021.
The cultural event was attended by officials, leaders and members from Lost History Foundation (LHF) and Chipembedzo Cha Makolo a Chikuda (African Traditional Religion) as well as members of the general public. The activities on the day included: Presentations and Discussions on the background and significance of Africa Day to Malawi and Africa; Poetry, Music performances, African dances and hiking on Ndirande Hill.
The programme commenced with a libation (nsembe) to African ancestors who lost their lives or had dedicated their lives to the liberation of the Africans and the continent such as Queen Mother Namlangeni of Maseko Ngoni, Queen Nzinga of Angola, Winnie Mandela of South Africa, Harriet Tubman, John Chilembwe Patrice Lumumba, Robert Sobukwe, Julius Nyerere, Haile Selassie, Kwameh Nkrumah, Thomas Sankara, Murcus Garvey and many more.
The libation ceremony was led by Mai Aida Soko the widow of renowned comedian Elson Soko (Nyoni). Among the main speakers at the event were Conleaith Selenje the Executive Director of Lost History Foundation and Tikhale Mmangeni a researcher for Nzika Muliyenda. The artists who performed at the event included a music band called Bantu Khamuradz, a female singer called Tadala Ndisale, Lion Kid the poet, and a reggae musician called Fire Ankh Star who performed his latest song Kuta Kunte which stirred the audience.
For a full video of the event, please click here.
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