All set for 2024 pan Africa drum festival

THE organiser of the Pan-African Drum Festival, Prince Segun Akanni, has disclosed that the festival’s second edition, happening on June 27 and 28 in Mississauga and Toronto, Canada, will be grander than the maiden event.

The festival’s first edition, themed  ‘Rejigging Yoruba Cultural Heritage as Catalyst for National Unity, Progress and Development’, was held in Mississauga, Canada, on July 28, 2023, and witnessed a colourful display of Nigerian arts and culture. Nigerian Canadians, Africans, Canadians, Europeans and others joined the celebration, with the attendance surpassing the organiser’s expectations.

Reflecting on last year’s event and what to expect this year, Akanni, who is also the publisher of the Drum Online newspaper, expressed delight with how it went.

Akanni explained, “My target was to start the festival in a small way; I never expected it to become a big carnival. Our projection was to have about 100 people, but the attendance on that day was overwhelming. This has never happened in the history of blacks in Canada—an assemblage of  25 drummers performed on stage. Different sets of percussionists from Nigeria, Europe, America and Canada performed on stage.

“There was a German who played the talking drum and spoke the Yoruba language fluently. He is a Bata drummer and is very passionate about Nigerian culture. People were thrilled to see a white man play the Bata drum and speak the Yoruba language. Our culture is unique, but some Nigerians have neglected and abandoned the culture. We were able to showcase  African culture in a positive light.”

On plans for the second edition, Akanni, who self-funded the first but is now open to collaborations with individuals and institutions, said, “I have friends from America, Europe, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania who have called to say they will like to be part of the second edition to make it bigger, better and more colourful.

“Some of the activities for the second edition include a courtesy visit and interactive sessions with the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown and Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow, Mayor of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic. Others include cultural and tourism sectors like the Canadian Council For The Arts and some Canadian media organisations.

There will be  lectures, art exhibitions, drum competitions, beauty pageants/ fashion shows, award presentations, cultural performances, and other colourful side attractions.”

He disclosed that as part of strategic efforts to smoothen the visa application process for guests, cultural icons and festival enthusiasts worldwide, the Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has accredited the festival with a unique event code.

Akanni added, “There will be exciting and new programmes commemorating Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, which will be held across major cosmopolitan cities in Canada annually. “

This year’s festival will also feature the inauguration of Africa Media Nite Out to honour and celebrate African journalists who have made remarkable contributions towards the growth and development of journalism in Africa.

Akanni said, “We hope to integrate this as one of the cardinal components of the annual event in Canada. With this exposure, African journalists will experience the serene and harmonious haven characterising Canada’s multi-ethnic and diverse culture.”

Beyond the drum festival, Akanni is also planning to establish an art gallery in Toronto for art lovers to see unique paintings, artworks, and Canadian and African artefacts.

“Many cultural and historical works will be on display in the gallery. I know it will require a lot of funds, but we can finish it with time. I am passionate and determined about it. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”