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AFRICA
DAY CELEBRATED
BY
Eucharia
Mbachu. Washington
D.C.
OH, MOTHER
AFRICA
MAY YOUR QUEENDOM COMES SOON and VERY SOON.
 Malawi Musical Group doing their Thing!
In In a unique occasion Africans and Friends gathered in
Washington
D.C.
on
May 24, 2007
in honor to Mother Africa during the second annual Africa Day event.
It was a great moment of joy and reconnection for the guests. I met friends that I had not seen since we left college so also was the story told by many who attended. The event was introduced by
Zain
Verjee
, a well known CNN Africa anchor from
Kenya
and was followed by two religious leaders to pray according to Islamic and Christian perspectives.
The party goers on this occasion were African diplomats, friends, politicians, and businessmen and women whose political and economic interests revolve around
Africa
and its fifty-four countries.
 Mr. Abubakerr Mbengue from Senegal
It was a boogie nite for all. If you weren’t there you missed it. Entertainment was provided by three musical groups from
Malawi
,
South Africa
and
Morocco
. These groups are based in the
US
, but their art form was local straight from their respectively countries. The children from the Malawian musical group attracted large ‘hoos and hmmms’ from the public particularly the youngest member with her little size and agile musical performance wiggled and giggled. She captured the imaginations of almost all spectators as they clapped and sang along.
The atmosphere was charged and before you knew it, it was a free for all dance filled with joyous sounds. Echoes of
Africa
reverberated and filled the air. Ironically though, this seemed to be the only tangible evidence of Africaness during the celebration. Apart from the musical tones and rhythms that reminded the audience of what was going on everything else in the hall was Western. Certainly, many an African wishing the ‘Africa Day’ event would serve as a cultural and political call for others to meet and touch things really Africa, either in food cuisine or authentic sartorial elegance of the New Africa, were disappointed.
Unlike many past African events in the Nation’s capital over the last fifty years, this one will be remembered as a cool moment with lots of joy and celebration. However, for the politically conscious and culturally concern about Africa’s role in the emerging globalization, this event did not set the stage to remind the world what Africa wishes to be and how the New Africa intends to join the civilization race in the twenty-first century.
This notion is particularly significant in light of current debates in
Washington
and beyond.
Samuel
Huntington
, in his clash of civilizations, argued that the American people should pay particular attention to the rival civilizations that are likely to pose threats to the West. Concerned about the Muslim World and the Chinese World in particular,
Huntington
argued for specific strategies of containment and contentment with these emerging forces.
Africa
, in his view, could be the last and without saying so the less threatening of them all. Tamela J. Hultman of allAfrica.com
 Assessing this celebration from the wider perspective, it was evident politicians and diplomats at the picture paid little or no attention to African prospects and possibilities. The Cameroonian Ambassador Jerome Mendouga regurgitated the widely use mantra of African solidarity and African hope for better days ahead, while other speakers from the United States reassured us of U.S. goodwill and promises. Nothing was said about political freedom and the struggle for democracy in these countries.
Congressman
Donald
M
Payne
talked about the fight against AIDS & HIV and congressional efforts to ameliorate the economic conditions of
Africa
. The Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Dr. Jendayi Frazier echoed the same message and promised to stay on course in her days as
U.S.
chief ambassador to the African continent. Same ol’ same ol'
But regardless of one’s opinions on and attitudes towards the event, much can be said about the attendees and their linkages to
Africa
. Scanning through the huge audience at the Museum, were different kinds of Africans. As stated above, the fifty-four African countries showed their faces through their diplomats.
Funny isn’t it that old habits never die, we were told there was going to be a press conference after the event, asked to write them dignitaries we would like to interview, each journalist did, after the event, God bless Africa, it was only cups, lips and spoons. All the Olgs were no where to be found. Hey, man no die man no rot, the bop continued.
Participation from civil society in
Africa
and the
United States
lobbying for African causes was also noteworthy. Well known representatives of Trans Africa, Africa Action, the African Democratic Alliance (ADA) and several lesser known bodies were also present. Journalist from different media groups, Voice of America, All Africa Global media, ThisDay and Afrique Event showed up too.
 Guests
In summary, the celebration was an historical moment in the African search for meaning in life. After having celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of
Ghana
last March, and the holding of elections in several African countries this year and last year, many Africans are wondering what is happening to their continent. Three messages to be briefly stated are; the question of African identity.
Are the Africans ready for a new definition of their identity when they meet in
Ghana
to take a new course on the path of political and economic development?
Europe
is growing both in numbers and in terms of integration,
America
is still a mighty force,
China
and
India
are racing with each other along the causeways of human civilization. What is
Africa
waiting for and how do her leaders plan to join the race and project themselves to the world now and to their descendants in the future? Secondly, those who came to celebrate Africa Day for the second year in Washington D.C, how are the Africans grappling with the political engineering.
Celebrating poverty is one thing; but living in a world where things of
Africa
are of lower value is certainly disheartening and unacceptable to the young and the ambitious African. The third and last question that should reverberate in the firmaments of African debate is the position of African resources and the strategies that should guide and dictate African policies in oil, coffee, cocoa and others. Until these situations are addressed by African leaders and Donors (
Africa
the
Lazarus
), will continue to have a hollow, wordy
Africa
(less) Day.
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Posted by Robot| 28.05.2007 01:26