IN PICTURES: Manjimup hosts inaugural African Day celebrations

Manjimup residents came together last Saturday to celebrate all things Africa. Traditional dances, food and drinks transformed the Wellness Centre for local African Day celebrations, connecting the community with the continent’s rich culture. The event began with an opening prayer by Mrs Gertrude Phiri, followed by speeches by Dr. Casper Murove, Daniel Phiri and Shire of Manjimup Deputy President Denise Jenkins, and dances which were participated by guests at the event along with a raffle. African meals and beverages were served throughout the day, including jollof rice and fried rice, the alcoholic beverage mbege, an okre soup with beef, goat and fish meat, fried fish and babootie, a curried mince meat dish. African Day organiser Fejiro Bassey said the idea of the event came from her experience moving to Manjimup without a sense of cultural integration at the time. “People were welcoming and you felt at home in Manjimup, but you knew there was something missing, that cultural integration where somebody really understands and I felt really alone,” she said. “I just want people to know, yes we’re in Australia and this is a diverse country and we’re doing our best that we can, but we also came from somewhere, we should let our culture die.” Ms Bassey said Manjimup was the best place for the event, given the community’s acceptance and community spirit. “Thank goodness, we live in a country where all cultures are celebrated and other people and cultures will support you and Manjimup seems like the best place to celebrate that, where everybody knows everybody.”