New African cultural festival coming to Cantigny Park
How much do you know about Liberia? How about Zambia? Ethiopia? Cameroon?
Anyone who has ever wanted to learn more about the countries and cultures of Africa is welcome to attend the Sankofa Foundation's first Pan African Cultural Festival, called Panafest, July 30 and 31, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton.
Lead organizer Lois Yankah said the Naperville-based foundation was formed less than a year ago to educate suburban kids about Africans and their cultural heritage through workshops, lectures, classes and events.
"People feel comfortable when they know more about the neighbors," she said. "We just want to educate the community on our diverse culture."
The new festival runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days; it's geared toward families and people of all ages. Countries represented through music, food and dance include Ghana, Liberia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Guinea, South Africa, Uganda, Cameroon, Nigeria, Morocco and Algeria.
"They'll have a good time if they come," Yankah said. "It's a great experience. It's going to be fun."
Admission is free, but parking is $10. In addition, attendees can pay $20 per person to take part in a sit-down meal with a full African menu served at decorated tables. Food samples start at $2 each, and can be enjoyed on the grounds of Cantigny, which Yankah said organizers selected as the event's venue because it reminds them of home.
"The tropical nature and how well they keep the gardens, it's just a replica of tropical Africa," she said.
Some cuisine highlights include nkatenkwan, a peanut butter soup from Ghana; boerewors, a sausage found in South African and Zimbabwean cuisine; sweet dumplings called kaimati from Kenya; Algerian bourek, or pastries filled with meat; and many other dishes.
In addition, a wine tasting booth features half a dozen wines from South Africa, and Kenyan coffee will be served.
While the main focus of the event is the food, Yankah said guests will also have a chance to play African board games, listen to live African music, browse arts and crafts made by African artists and watch dance performances from North Africa Dance Experience, Ethiopian Dancers and the Sankofa Dance Ensemble.
Those who think they already know a lot about the continent can also test their knowledge during a "What do you know about Africa?" contest at the event, for a chance to win a 2-week trip to Africa.
And while the event will serve as a good way to share African culture with non-African neighbors, organizers hope young second and third generation African Americans will attend too.
"We also want those students to know their roots, where they come from," Yankah said.
After the event, a Panafest fine art exhibition will be on display at the DuPage County Historical Museum in downtown Wheaton, from Aug. 1 to 7. For information about the exhibit or the Cantigny event, visit panafest.net.