African Bazaar
The African Bazaar at Africa Day Limerick featured food, arts and crafts, clothing and music from over 20 different African countries. Visitors came along to the Bazaar to experience the sights and sounds of places ranging from Mali to Zimbabwe; Guinea to Malawi; Nigeria, Cameroon and DR Congo.
The Abundant Life Christian Church was at Africa Day Limerick to showcase the culture of more than 16 nations of Africa. Visitors could enjoy the flags, clothing, cultural artefacts and foods from various countries. Visitors could also learn about the languages spoken in a number of different African countries and even got the chance to learn how to say a simple phrase in an African language.
The African Community in Diaspora showcased the rich tradition of African dress and clothing at their stall, and featured cultural costumes and other forms of dress from different regions of Africa. The group also showcased African hair-braiding and displayed African food at their space in the African Bazaar.
Visitors interested in learning how to cook and prepare African food could visit the Association of Cameroonians Living in Limerick and Surrounding Counties (ASCALI), who displayed the ingredients and methods of preparation for various dishes from different parts of Cameroon. Cultural artefacts from all over the country were also on display, while visitors could also enjoy the sounds of Makossa music being played at the group’s gazebo.
Diaspora Togo, meanwhile, hosted a number of drumming sessions and demonstrations of various dances from Togo in the African Bazaar.
The Edo Community of Ireland (Limerick) showcased cultural costumes, hair-braiding and a range of African foods at their stall at Africa Day Limerick.
Visitors to the Etnic Minority Arts Forum had an opportunity to sample delicious African food and view a display of various arts and crafts made in Africa.
Friends of Mali Ireland, meanwhile, displayed a range of African artefacts such as ‘bogolans’ (cloth hangings painted with dyes made from the Niger river-bank mud and found commonly in the Segou area of Mali); cooking and other utensils; crafts; leather goods; jewellery, and clothing at their stall in the African Bazaar.
A must-visit for all foodies and fashionistas, the Guinean Association in Limerick's stall displayed traditional Guinean dresses made in the Fouta Djallon region, between Upper Guinea and the Guinean coast. The Association also showcased Guinean necklaces, and offered a range of food samples, including : fonio with ockro, a specialty Guinean dish, usually cooked during weddings and other special ceremonies. The dish is served with lathyiri (couscous made of maize), mixed with red palm oil sauce and smoked fish (called konkoye). Members of the Association also performed the famous Djembe toupoussesse and yankadi (forest dance) dances for visitors and staged hair-brading demonstrations over the course of the day.
The Igbo Women’s Union of Limerick and Clare showcased traditional African hairstyles, including bonding, weaving and plaits, at Irish Aid’s Africa Day Limerick. They demonstrated how to prepare different African dishes and visitors to their space in the African Bazaar also enjoyed music and dance performances.
The Irish-Congolese Business and Cultural Association brought the sound of the traditional African jembe drum to the African Bazaar. The Association also showcased Congolese food and dress.
The Irish Congolese Group of Life displayed traditional Congolese clothes, shoes, arts and crafts, as well as offering samples of Congolese finger foods to visitors.
The Limerick Africa Initiative showcased traditional African clothing, hair-braiding and an array of African beads in the African Bazaar. They hosted African story-telling sessions for children and displayed different African currencies.
The Limerick Ethnic Women’s Forum staged hair-braiding demonstrations throughout the day and demonstrated how various forms of braiding, plaits, twisting, Ghana braids and even threading are performed.
The Limerick South African Women’s group, meanwhile, distributed samples of some traditional South African foods and visitors to their stall could also learn about the history and culture of their country.
The Odua Foundation showcased Yoruba culture at Africa Day Limerick – a unique ethnic culture from Western Nigeria. Visitors to their stall could sample traditional Yoruba dishes, including jollof rice with plaintain and spicy gizzards, soups with prawns, tomatoes, fresh fish, peppers and other meats.
The Sasse Old Boys Association Ireland displayed Cameroonian arts and crafts, dresses and shoes. They also had an array of traditional African finger foods available for visitors to sample.
SOFAD Ireland was at Irish Aid’s Africa Day Limerick to provide samples of fish-based delicacies of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Visitors could drop by their space in the African Bazaar to taste different Congolese foods; hear music, and view drumming performances. They also offered singing, music and dance performanes at their stall througout the day.
Visitors to the Traditional Zimbawean Food stall had the opportunity to sample delicious food stuffs from Zimbabwe such as sadza and muriwo unenyama, madora,stamp and beans, or mazondo for a truly unique culinary experience.
