# Joseph Okoh
What does Africa Day mean to Afro-Irish people living here today?
It’s a celebration of culture and a recognition of success, mixed with demands for better recognition and a reflection on what is happening in Sudan.
A CELEBRATION. AN exposure to beauty. A challenge to the stereotypes. A reason to highlight the successes and the positives. A moment to reflect on what is happening in Sudan.An opportunity to talk about integration. A chance to call for better representation. A reason to ask for the continent’s natural resources to be used properly. As good as excuse as any to dance.
The ways in which people mark Africa Day are varied across the island. Today, Africa Day is back with various events taking place not just here, but around the world.
The annual celebration of the continent’s unity, cultural diversity and potential started in 1963 in commemoration of the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (now known as the African Union).
To mark the occasion, The Journal spoke to some Afro-Irish on how important celebrating their African culture is and what the day means to them.
Michaela Nsangolo, Miss Congo Éireann
Last year, Machaela Nsangolo decided to enter for the first-ever Miss Congo Éireann. She thought it was a good way to connect with her roots. To her delight she won.
“It was an amazing experience and it felt great to win. Being Congolese is a blessing. I’m proud to be African and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she explains.
Born in Kinshasa, Nsangolo has lived in Ireland since infancy, when her family moved to Dublin. The 25-year-old now works as a financial analyst while also building a music career.
“Growing up, my parents would speak Lingala to me and take us to a Congolese church. However, as I got a bit older, I withdrew from the Congolese community. But these days I just love being around my people and promoting our rich culture here.”
The Miss Congo Éireann was launched last November to unite people of Congolese heritage in Ireland and showcase the different talents within the community.
“Before the competition, I wasn’t really engaging with the Congolese community here, so being part of the contest has made me learn lot more about Congo and Africa,” Nsangolo said.
“My family encouraged me to go for the contest and their support gave me the confidence to go all the way. Growing up, my parents did a good job at making us explore our Congolese side but Miss Congo Eireann made me appreciate the culture even more.”
Since moving to Ireland, Nsangolo hasn’t visited her country of birth. While she relishes the conviviality and sense of brotherhood Africa Day celebrations in Ireland brings, she says she can’t wait to be home again.
“I definitely plan to visit at some stage and I’m can’t wait for that to happen. When I decide, I’m going to spend a whole month. It would be great to meet many family members I’ve never seen before.”
And what does the Africa Day mean to her?
“For me, it’s a celebration of the things that make us unique. There is so much ethnic diversity yet many striking similarities between cultures. It’s something you don’t really have in other continents,” said Nsangolo.
Oghogho Omoregie, Security Officer
For Portlaoise-based security officer, Oghogho Omoregie, 30, Africa Day is “an exposure to the beauty of Africa and its people”.
“It’s a day to highlight the successes we are achieving around the world – in art, music and tech,” he says.
Originally from Nigeria, Omoregie has lived in Ireland for the past 12 years and has been involved in many Africa Day events in Laois.
This year’s celebration has been made more special with the arrival of a baby daughter to his family.
“I am married to an Irish lady and we just welcomed our fifth child – right in time for Africa Day,” he says. “I came to Ireland as a teenager to further my education but now I feel blessed to be building a beautiful family here too.”
To ensure that his children are familiar with their African heritage, Omoregie is teaching them his native Bini language, which is widely spoken by the Edo people in Nigeria.
“I’m a traditional person,” he adds. “I expose them to the Edo culture as much as I can. They know thedifferent greetings when you wake up in the morning, the greetings after eating and the greetings they say to their aunties. They are adapting really well.”
Omoregie feels lucky to have a partner who embraces the culture too. “She’s learning how to cook Nigerian dishes too,”’ says Omoregie. “I’m still learning about the Irish culture and the cultural exchange is beautiful.”
Despite settling well in Ireland, Omoregie said he still misses home: “I miss the weather of course and I miss the street foods. The freedom to enjoy loud music in your neighbourhood, without worrying that you might be reported to the guards is something I still miss.”
And what is his African Day message?
“Integration. Let’s unite, respect different cultures and learn from each other. Africa has its challenges but there are many positive things about us too. People should stop the lame stereotypes.”
Liswa McDonald and China Soribe (Umoja Linn)
Liswa McDonald and China Soribe are talented entrepreneurs promoting the African culture through fashion and art.
Their e-commerce retail business named Umoja Linn was created “to share Africa’s diverse culture, art and style through a variety of ethically made pieces”.
‘Umoja’ means unity in Swahili while Linn is the Irish for ‘by us’.
“The name is a reflection of our Afro-Irish roots. Our business is about uniting African designers and making items accessible for Africans in the diaspora who are constantly looking for designs to represent their culture,” Liswa and China explains.
Liswa who is from the Zulu tribe in South Africa moved to Ireland in 2007. In the same year, China – a proud Igbo native came here from Nigeria.
The pair first met while studying in the University of Galway and connected through their mutual interest in fashion.
“Fashion is one of the ways I celebrate my identity. Growing up in Tullamore, we were one of the very few black families so it was almost impossible to get African pieces. When I moved to Galway for college, African students faced a similar challenge but that’s how Umoja Linn came about,” China said.
“Dressing is a fundamental part of who we are as a people,” McDonald adds. “It is unique and makes us stand out anywhere in the world. And I can say the same about our music and our food.”
Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Liswa McDonald and China Soribe Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie
The pair has been named ambassadors for the Africa Day 2023 events hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and they are excited to be involved.
“Africa Day is all about celebration. We want to celebrate our food, music and highlight who we are. We are endowed with diverse cultural heritage and with that comes thebeautifulprints and styles which us at Umoja Linn celebrate proudly and arehonoured to share with the world. We also get a chance to highlight theeconomic potential that exists within Africa,” Liswa and China said.
So, what are their hopes for Africa?
“We want a better representation of the continent, but Africans should also change how they view themselves. Let’s improve and challenge each other to be builders and changemakers.”
Najwan El-Magboul, Community worker
Twenty years ago, Najwan El-Magboul left her career as an air hostess in Sudan to start a new life in Ireland.
“The Darfur genocide – perpetrated by the same generals responsible for the current war in Sudan forced me to leave. I sought asylum here and spent a year in Direct Provision,” she recalls.
Although things were very tough at the beginning, she has settled in very well in Limerick. Now an Irish citizen and armed with two masters degrees, El-Magboul has been actively involved in community work and have participated in many Africa Day events in the town.
She believes World Africa Day is important as it shows how positive and varied the continent is.
“I might be Muslim from Sudan and someone else might be Christian from another part of Africa but we always like to share love from where we come from,” she said.
“We might dress or speak differently but we our united in certain values. We have our problems but we are always happy. When an African takes to the dance floor, every other nationality steps back. That’s the energy we bring and it makes me really proud.”
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor of the current African Union.
It’s a significant milestone for Africa but El-Magboul says her mood has been dampened by the ongoing war in her country.
“The violence is constantly on my mind. We are all sad about the killings and are deeply concerned about our families who are experiencing displacement and malnourishment.The militia raided the home of my relatives the other day and they were forced to hide in the toilet with their baby. I’m fortunate they weren’t killed.”
While Africa is still grappling with social, political and economic challenges, El-Magboul points out that there are many reasons to be optimistic about its future.
“Most people now have the opportunity to get good education. There generation coming through are excelling in tech. There’s been a lot of advancement in music and arts. I believe that if our natural resources are properly managed, nothing can stop us.”
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.
Support us Learn More
FAQs
What does Africa Day mean to Afro-Irish people living here today? ›
What does Africa Day mean to Afro-Irish people living here today? It's a celebration of culture and a recognition of success, mixed with demands for better recognition and a reflection on what is happening in Sudan.
What is Africa Day and how is it celebrated? ›Every May 25th, Africa Day is celebrated around the world to honor the African continent's rich history, diverse cultures, and transformative progress. This day commemorates the 1963 founding of the Organization of African Unity, now called the African Union.
What is the significance of Africa? ›The continent has 40 percent of the world's gold and up to 90 percent of its chromium and platinum. The largest reserves of cobalt, diamonds, platinum and uranium in the world are in Africa. It holds 65 per cent of the world's arable land and ten percent of the planet's internal renewable fresh water source.
Why do we celebrate Africa Freedom Day? ›The purpose of the day was to annually mark the liberation movement's progress and to symbolize the determination of the people of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation. Between 1958 and 1963 the nation/class struggle grew bigger in Africa and around the world.
What is the theme for Africa Day 2023? ›Theme of Africa Day 2023
The theme for Africa Day 2023 has been selected by the African Union (AU) as "Acceleration of AfCFTA implementation".
How to celebrate Africa Day. This important day is celebrated each year on 25 May - it's celebrated across the world. People of all ages celebrate the day, and you can expect speeches by current political and social leaders, special concerts with lots of fun cultural entertainment, poetry, speakers, and more.
What is the special Day Africa Day? ›The annual commemoration of Africa Day marks the founding of the OAU in 1963, which was later renamed the AU in 2002. This year, May 25, is of special significance because it is the 60th anniversary of the formation of this first African institution.
What are three important information about Africa? ›Africa is sometimes nicknamed the "Mother Continent" due to its being the oldest inhabited continent on Earth. Humans and human ancestors have lived in Africa for more than 5 million years. Africa, the second largest continent, is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean.
What is the most important feature of Africa? ›What are the main physical features of Africa? The dominant physical features of Africa are the Nile River, Mount Kilimanjaro, Victoria Falls, Lake Victoria, and the Sahara Desert. The Nile River is the longest river on the planet. The highest mountain peak in Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro.
Which countries celebrate Africa Day? ›Africa Day is a day for all African countries. However, Africa Day is observed as a public holiday in only twelve African countries, Ghana, Mali, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Chad, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia and Mauritania.
What values or ideas can we learn from African Liberation Day? ›
The concept incorporates values of sharing, cooperation and spiritual health. Ubuntu, emancipatory politics and reparations are the key concepts for liberation tomorrow. The attainment of ubuntu is bound up with the political union of Africa.
What is a common theme in Africa? ›Common themes include the clash between past and present, tradition and modernity, self and community, as well as politics and development. On the whole, female writers are today far better represented in African literature than they were prior to independence.
What are the main themes in out of Africa? ›- Africa as a Pastoral Landscape. Isak Dinesen proposes that Africa is a pastoral landscape in which men exist in a truer form than they do in Europe. ...
- Differences Between the Races. Dinesen believes that Africans and Europeans are fundamentally different. ...
- Aristocracy.
Is Africa Day a Public Holiday? Africa Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
What traditions are celebrated in Africa? ›- Handshakes.
- Lip stretching by the Surma tribe in Sudan.
- Dancing.
- Sun block.
- Living with animals.
- Bride Price.
- Initiation.
- Family.
WHEN: On 25 May 2023, the Pan African Organisation will be celebrating its 60th anniversary.
What African holiday is August 13? ›August 13: Black Women's Equal Pay Day. The aim is to raise awareness about the wider-than-average pay gap between Black women and White men.
Why is Africa called the Dark continent? ›Africa was originally dubbed the “Dark Continent” by Welsh journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley, who saw Africa as mysterious. Its landscapes and cultures were largely unknown to many outsiders until the late nineteenth century.
What is the most spoken language in Africa? ›The most widely spoken languages of Africa, Swahili (200 million), Yoruba (45 million), Igbo (30 million), and Fula (35 million) all belong to the Niger-Congo family.
Why is Africa Third World? ›By the end of the 1960s, the idea of the Third World came to represent countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America that were considered underdeveloped by the West based on a variety of characteristics (low economic development, low life expectancy, high rates of poverty and disease, etc.).
Why is Africa physically unique? ›
PHYSICAL FEATURES
Africa is the most tropical of all continents. Climate and vegetation range from equatorial rainforests, tropical deserts and savanna grassland to Mediterranean. The Sahara Desert, the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, is over 10.4 million km2 n North to south is approx.
Hausa. The Hausa are primarily located in West Africa in northwestern Nigeria and southern Niger but they are also found in Cameroon, Togo, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Ghana. They are notable because they are the largest ethnic group in Africa with a population of 78 million.
What continent is Africa connected to? ›From north to south, Africa stretches about 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). It is connected to Asia by the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt.
Which African leader was behind the formation of African Union? ›The African Union was launched in Durban on 9 July 2002, by its first chairperson, Former south African head of state Thabo Mbeki, at the first session of the Assembly of the African Union.
What is Africa's culture? ›The Culture of Africa is varied and manifold, consisting of a mixture of countries with various tribes that each have their unique characteristic from the continent of Africa. It is a product of the diverse populations that inhabit the continent of Africa and the African diaspora.
Who are the people of African descent? ›African diaspora populations include but are not limited to: African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latin Americans, Black Canadians – descendants of enslaved West Africans brought to the United States, the Caribbean, and South America during the Atlantic slave trade.
What is one theme of on being brought from Africa to America? ›The overall message of 'On Being Brought from Africa to America' is to point out the hypocrisy of Christians who treat Blacks as inferior. Wheatley uses modesty, wittiness, and irony to show that many people who consider themselves upstanding members of society refuse to behave in a Christian manner.
What are three dominant themes of African art? ›Dominant themes in African art include birth and death; the roles of men, women, and children; coming of age; sickness and healing; the importance of food and water; and the human relationship with nature.
What are 3 of the many dominant themes in African art? ›African art often stems from the themes of religious symbolism, functionalism and utilitarianism, and many pieces of art are created for spiritual rather than purely creative purposes.
What is the out from Africa theory? ›Out of Africa 1 contends that earlier Homo species did in fact migrate from Africa before the evolution of H. sapiens. Out of Africa 2 (also called the population replacement hypothesis) picks up where Out of Africa 1 leaves off.
What is the story out of Africa about? ›
What is the tone of out of Africa? ›Plot Summary. Out of Africa is a memoir by Karen Blixen that was published in 1937 under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen. Utilizing a nonlinear approach, Blixen explores the fading years of the British colonial empire in Africa in a somber and nostalgic tone.
Do they celebrate Christmas in Africa? ›Christmas Traditions Across Africa. Although for many of the African countries Christmas comes during the summer months, accompanied by lots of sunshine and colourful flowers in full bloom, the spirit of Christmas on this continent remains the same.
What countries are in Africa? › How many countries are in Africa? ›48 countries share the area of mainland Africa, plus six island nations are considered to be part of the continent. All in all, there are 54 sovereign African countries and two disputed areas, namely Somaliland (autonomous region of Somalia) and Western Sahara (occupied by Morocco and claimed by the Polisario).
How many countries are in Africa Day? ›Africa Day is a day for all African countries. However, Africa Day is observed as a public holiday in only twelve African countries, Ghana, Mali, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Chad, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia and Mauritania.
How is the day of the African child celebrated? ›At Continental level, the Day of the African Child is celebrated by consultations among children and training for children on the Charter followed by an inter-generational dialogue on 16 June.
What is the culture of Africa? ›The Culture of Africa is varied and manifold, consisting of a mixture of countries with various tribes that each have their unique characteristic from the continent of Africa. It is a product of the diverse populations that inhabit the continent of Africa and the African diaspora.
What is the other name for Africa? ›Africa is sometimes nicknamed the "Mother Continent" due to its being the oldest inhabited continent on Earth.
Is Africa the largest country in the world? ›Overall, Africa's total area exceeds 30 million square kilometers, being the second largest continent in the world after Asia.
How many languages are spoken in Africa? ›
With anywhere between 1000 and 2000 languages, Africa is home to approximately one-third of the world's languages. The diversity of Africa's languages is evidenced by their populations. In total, there are at least 75 languages in Africa which have more than one million speakers.
What is the message of African child? ›Answer: the message of the poem is to never discriminate african people ,they too have the right to everything . just like anybody else in this world.
What is the story of an African child? ›The African Child (French: L'Enfant noir) is an autobiographical French novel by Camara Laye published in 1953. It tells the story of a young African child, Baba, growing up in Guinea. The novel won the Prix Charles Veillon writing prize.
What is the message of the Day of the African Child? ›Wishing a very Happy African Child Day to everyone. Education is the birth right each and every child and we must make sure that they all get it. On the occasion of African Child Day, we must come together and support improved education facilities for African children for their better future.