PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The 29th Annual Umoja Festival will be full of the sights, sounds, and tastes of Africa!
During the festival you will be able to engage in the diverse culture and history of African American citizenry through theatre, food, music, art, and dance.
In recognition of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans to Virginia in 1619, the festival will broaden its focus to embrace issues of slavery, civil rights, and African-American culture.
Musical guests will be performing jazz, reggae, gospel, and rhythm and blues. There will also be a children's area with games, crafts, and workshops with origins in several African countries. Heritage tours will take place Saturday and Sunday of the festival. The closing of the festival will feature a gospel jubilee of musical talents from throughout Hampton Roads.
The festival is May 24-26 at Union Bank & Trust Pavilion at 16 Crawford Circle in Portsmouth. Admission is FREE.
For two and a half days, the waterfront of Portsmouth will be transformed into the image of its sister city Eldoret, Kenya.
PHOTOS: Umoja Festival in Portsmouth.
The Umoja Festival have take place in Portsmouth for almost 30 years. In 1991, the City Council of Portsmouth declared its commitment to understanding cultural diversity. The city selected the Kiswahili word UMOJA, which means unity, as the name of the annual festival. Umoja is also the first principal of Kwanzaa that follows unity in the family, community, and nation.
In African tradition, permission from the elders of the village is sought out because of their wisdom, knowledge, and experience. The festival always observe this tradition by seeking the elders of the Portsmouth community.
For more information visit Umoja Fest website.
