Poetic Tongues/Fabu
African Roots
Africa Fest and I met twenty-eight years ago when it first began in 1998. As a student in African Languages and Literature, I met wonderful people from all over the continent, as well as a friend for life, Wanjiku Mukabi from Kenya. The African Association of Madison, the founder of the festival, was well-known to students in the Department and later I was also a proud member of the African Women’s Association, until I became ill.
Africa Fest was founded by the African Association of Madison for people to learn more about the richness of African culture and traditions. Africa Fest also celebrates the vast contributions of Africa to world civilization. African culture, traditions, and contributions to our world are mostly unknown, so the yearly opportunity to immerse oneself, for one day, sometimes two days, with African people who are now our neighbors. Africa Fest 2026 will be Saturday, August 15 (10 am – 10 pm) and Sunday, August 16 (10 am – 6 pm) at Milton McPike Park, 2022 South Ingersoll Street. This year’s theme is the “The Fabric of Africa,” and the festival is free.
Since 1998, I have made it a priority to attend Africa Fest to surround myself with the beauty of families, food, and activities. A favorite of mine is the Parade of Nations and the African Village where historical information and artifacts are shared by the African Women’s Association. Live musical performances are exciting from all over the continent, as we get a glimpse of the selected varieties of music from any of fifty-four unique countries located throughout Africa. This year highlights the countries of Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Togo as well as Afro-Peru.
Vendors allow us to take a bit of Africa home with us and there are fabulous selections from African dolls to handcrafted jewelry and exquisite clothes. Africa Fest has clothes of every color and hue, different lengths, for every size and for every person. Equally as important are the tastes of Africa. There are many delicious food opportunities with traditional foods that transport you to the authentic tastes of the Motherland. I think of African foods as memory foods because I savor my ancestry in my mouth, whenever I eat any kind of African food.
Africa Fest is truly needed this year. Our entire community, especially the African American community, has suffered because of the tragic death of Corey Ruiz. We need a family-oriented celebration, where we come together with others to laugh, dance, think, and taste deeply. We need a place on the East side to feel safe, happy, and surrounded by welcoming people again. Africa Fest in 2026 allows the healing to begin by reminding us, although there is painful injustice, there is also joy with extended family, neighbors, and friends.