June 27, 2004
Section: Local
A little bit of Africa right here in Lowell
Festival brings together different cultures
ROBERT MILLS, Sun Staff
LOWELL - Unlike other traditional food vendors at the fourth annual African Festival in Lowell yesterday, Beatrice Stevens of Lowell was not set up behind a table or under a tent. Instead, she carried her wares around on her head, where she balanced a tray full of kalla, also known as puff-puff, or round
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| Photo: Lionel Forbes, 6, of Revere, plays the djembe and kpanlongo drums with his cousin, John Ireland, also of Revere, at yesterday's African Festival at Lowell Heritage State Park. Ireland is from Ghana. SUN/RICK SILVA | balls of fried dough traditional in her native Liberia.
Stevens did not have a gadget or trick to keep the tray in place, just lots of practice and good balance that kept the food firm even as she danced to the same traditional songs that got Mayor Armand Mercier to boogie on the stage at the Sampas Pavilion.
The festival was organized by the African Cultural Association and was aimed at exposing area residents to various African cultures, traditions and values, according to association board member Sam Stevquoah.
The festival ran from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the Lowell Heritage State Park, though rain kept most visitors away for the first two hours of festivities.
By afternoon, the rain had taken a break, and 200 to 300 visitors took in stands offering traditional food, clothing and crafts, while local businesses and agencies handed out information. About 1,000 people were expected to attend, but Stevquoah said organizers were prepared for up to 5,000.
Among a series of food stands, Fadzai Paslkwababiri and Lee Furusa, both from Lee's Catering in Lowell, sold traditional food from Zimbabwe, though they said the food, such as chicken and kebobs, was influenced by British colonization.
Next door, Rose Utubor, from Unique You in Chelmsford, sold traditional Nigerian cuisine, such as Goat Pepper Stew, made with goat meat, and Moyin-Moyin, a dish with black-eyed peas, corned beef and several vegetables.
Clothing vendors like Bibiane Diankeu Badeboga, of Tonta's Shop in Lowell, sold traditional Nigerian garb such as Kabas and Jants, or traditional decorated shirts.
Badeboga moved to Lowell a year ago and sells African-made clothing her mother ships here from her clothing store in Nigeria.
Several organizations, such as Lowell's African Assistance Center also set up stands to offer their services.
Guest speaker Lura Smith, special assistant to Middlesex Community College President Carole Cowan, said she wants to become part of the organizing committee next year, and said the African community should come together to spread upward, onward and outward from Lowell.
Though the day was one of celebration, she also urged people to remember that from 1565 to 1665, more than 60 million Africans were born into slavery.
"From Africa, you have brought a true pride, you have brought a dignity, and you have brought honor," she said. "You have brought business and professional experience, family values and a rich culture as well."
A fashion show, traditional dancing and other activities were planned later in the evening.
Robert Mills' e-mail address is rmills@lowellsun.com.
(c) 2004 The Sun (Lowell, MA). All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.
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