Africa’s rich cultural heritage on display at free community event in Kalgoorlie-Boulder

Africa’s rich cultural heritage was on full display in Kalgoorlie-Boulder at the weekend.

The community was offered a taste of the continent’s vibrant culture during Africa Day celebrations at Eastern Goldfields Community Centre on Saturday.

The free event was hosted by African Goldfields Community and featured traditional music, performances, and cuisine along with market stalls.

Africa Day is an annual celebration across the globe.

AGC vice-president Dr Elias Menyanu said the Kalgoorlie-Boulder event was an important opportunity for members of the African community to connect with their roots.

“There is a really strong African presence here, in the schools and workplaces, community events and churches,” he said.

“We are in the diaspora, but we have our roots there, so we also celebrate it here.

“It is to commemorate our forebears and great-grandfathers who toiled, they had to struggle through apartheid systems, got independence and they freed us.

“And so it is a time for sombre reflections, but also a time for celebration.”

Dr Menyanu said Africa Day was traditionally celebrated on May 25, but the Goldfields event was brought forward to Saturday.

Flags from every African country were on display.

Representatives from local Papua New Guinea, Filipino, Indian, and Maori communities also joined in the celebrations.

“They are our acquaintances, our friends . . . we live next door to these people, so it’s a beautiful community,” Dr Menyanu said.