January 2, 2024
6 Pan-African Annual Festivals That Show Love To Kwanzaa’s Ujima And Ujaama
BLACK ENTERPRISE has created a lineup of annual Pan-African-inspired festivals that encapsulate the spirit of Kwanzaa's Ujima and Ujaama.
Kwanzaa breeds an opportunity for Black people and communities all over the diaspora to not only reflect but to spark intentions for 2024. Are you an avid festivalgoer or want to immerse yourself more in African and Caribbean heritage? BLACK ENTERPRISE has got you covered. We created a lineup of annual Pan-African festivals and organizations that encapsulate the spirit of Kwanzaa’s Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) and Ujaama (Cooperative Economics).
The ambitious hosts of these events are in the business of togetherness and to acknowledge the social, cultural, and historical bonds that unite people of African descent.
Learn more ahead of the 2024 festival schedules. There are enticing invitations to support active cooperation and economic wins for the community.
Afribembe
The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute is the mastermind behind Afribembé, a Pan-African festival that serves as an opportunity for communities and guests to celebrate shared roots through creativity, intellectuality, and musicality. The 5th annual Afribembé FESTIVAL looks to harness the power of its theme, Black to the Future, to elevate Afrofuturism from a global Diasporic lens with Africa at the center.
2023 Highlights
- Artivism activities for creatives of all ages
- Music, DJ sets and In the Valley of Coming Forth play excerpt
- Ujaama market with merchandise, arts and crafts
PAN AFRICAN ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL
Established in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover, the late Ja’Net DuBois, and Ayuko Babu, the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to promote and amplify Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression.
2023 Highlights
- Over 150 films from 40 countries, in 19 languages, including 50 World and 22 North American premieres.
- One of them included Oscar-nominated (Best Short Documentary) American Justice on Trial: People V. Newton (US), in which Black Panthers co-founder Huey Newton is accused of murdering a white policeman after a car stop in 1967 Oakland.
- The Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza hosted its renowned fine art show featuring over 100 established and emerging fine artists and quality craftspeople from all over the Black Diaspora.
PANAFEST
The Pan African Historical Festival (PANAFEST) was inspired back in 1992 by the late great Pan Africanist Efua Sutherland. The festival has become a landmark celebration in Ghana, giving Africans a platform to address traumas among African societies and empower self-confidence and freedom for self-determination of a whole people. On the other side of the world, the Pan African Festival USA is a cultural festival held in Silver Spring, Maryland.
2023 Highlights
- Festival’s theme: “Reclaiming the African Family: Confronting the Past to Face the Challenges of the Past.”
- Began a Creative Explosion headlined by three-time Grammy nominee Rocky Dawuni at the National Theatre in Accra.
- September is designated as African Heritage Month in Montgomery County, Maryland.
AFRICON
The visionary co-founders behind Amplify Africa and AfriCon unite the global diaspora through its conference and vibrant celebration of African culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This event, which coincides with Africa Day, celebrates the diversity of the African Continent and the Diaspora through entertainment, media, technology, and leadership. Africon 2023 was about amplifying voices and narratives of African, African-American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx, and Afro-European entrepreneurs, artists, and thought leaders to showcase their talents and ideas. Locations include Los Angeles and Lagos, Nigeria.
2023 Highlights
- In May 2023, Africon celebrated 60 years of Africa Day in Los Angeles.
- The schedule of events for 2023 included an unofficial welcome day and two days of conference programming.
- Nelson Mandela’s grandson hosted an Africa Day reception.
AFROFUTURE
Co-founded by AfroFuture CEO Abdul Karim Abdullah, the Ghana-based festival has evolved into a full-circle celebration that aims to increase tourism on the continent, boost the local economy, and reintroduce Black people from all over the world to their roots in the Mother Nation. At AfroFuture (Dec. 18. to Jan. 2) attendees can enjoy a host of events, including the Afro Expo 2023. This two-week-long expo will host a series of experiences and panel discussions centered around the worlds of culture, technology, health, film, music, and art in Africa.
2023 Highlights & What to Expect
- The Black Ambition Pitch Competition
- AfroFuture x Black Film Space Film Competition
- New Year’s Eve Celebration
- AfroFuture Foundation Giveback
- The AfroMusic Museum
AFROPUNK
Calling all goths, punks, and rebels! The Afropunk Festivals have been held in various major cities, including Atlanta, Paris, and London. The festival was co-founded by James Spooner and Matthew Morgan and bloomed out of the 2003 documentary titled Afro-Punk, which studied Black punks across America. Through music, art, and community, the festival brings together a community of people who reject societal norms and embrace their true selves.
2023 Highlights
- In August, Afropunk Brooklyn “Circus of Soul” featured Jazmine Sullivan, Flying Lotus, Joey Bada$$, Vince Staples, and Tobe Nwigwe.
- Afropunk Bahia, the Brazilian edition of the 20-year-old Brooklyn festival, took place in Salvador November 18 and 19. Victoria Monét headlined.
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