West Africa comes to Hackney Downs
After trial runs with floats at other festivals, the first ever SeneGambian Masquerade event exploded on to the festival scene on Sunday, with traditional West African dancing, music, and food.
Revellers at the family-friendly festival in Hackney Downs enjoyed performances about popular myths, including the story about the lion figure of Zimba. The shows had a number of influences, including the Creole, Yoruba, and Aku cultures.
The event was organised by Yaram Arts, a music development agency for African artists. Event coordinator and project manager Njok Malik Jeng said: “The day was really great. About 2,000 people attended, which was very good because it was our first full festival.
“Lots of Londoners came who didn’t know about our culture, but they seemed to enjoy it and quite a lot of people had a go at the dancing.”
Yaram Arts performers made their debut last year with a float at the Hackney One Carnival, and also held a showcase at Mabley Green in Homerton. But Sunday’s event, from 3pm until 9pm, was the first time the show had been run as a festival in its own right.
You may also want to watch:
Mr Jeng said he hopes the festival will be back next year.
Most Read
- 1 Campaigners to protest at GP surgeries as outrage grows over US takeover
- 2 "Outcry" over fortnightly rubbish collection in Stamford Hill
- 3 Three men who went on stabbing spree in Hackney convicted of murder
- 4 Hackney police commander calls on community to "play its part" in crime prevention
- 5 "Predator" jailed after sexually assaulting sleeping woman on Hackney bus
- 6 Three men charged following Hackney shooting
- 7 Newington Green's Meeting House to stream concert series for Mary Wollstonecraft's 262nd Birthday
- 8 Calls for black women's voices to also be heard in light of Sarah Everard death
- 9 ‘We are still human’: homeless households speak out over living conditions
- 10 Hackney restaurant exhibits local artists with new art space