Celebrating Africa Day

African Connections

Africa Day: Celebrating History & Unity Through Culture

A free, full day, online presentation

The program, African Connections, curated and programmed by Tania Amaral and presented by Crimson Coast Dance Society returns in celebration of AFRICA DAY, a day of Freedom, History and Unity commemorated annually by the people of many African countries and among Africans in the diaspora.

Take in music from the represented regions as well as suggested viewings that demonstrate dances and arts specific to the countries represented.

You can access the videos by the links below & they will be available to view on our website until May 31.

Please help us by sharing these presentations with your friends & family!

Featured Community Speakers (2021)

Tania Amaral

Brighton Francis (Tanzania)

Victoria Henshaw (Nigeria)

Lethy Makwenge (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Samuel Makwenge (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Tapiwa Tanaka (Zimbabwe)

Opening Message from Nanaimo Mayor, Leonard Krog

Karingana Wa Karingana for Children & Adults: Featuring 3 African stories/fables by Lethy Makwenge (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Karingana Wa Karingana with Lethy Makwenge – Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of African Connections – Celebrating Africa Day. We are going to have another Karingana Wa Karingana (African Storytelling for kids/ adults) with our beautiful Lethy Makwenge from DRC. Be ready to listen tales about Kings & Queens, starting with Chaka (the famous Zulu warrior) Mother – Nandi, to a great man from Egypt – Imhotep and of course a story from Lethy’s mother country.

Sharing is Caring: Victoria Henshaw (Nigeria)

Sharing Is Caring with Victoria Henshaw – Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of African Connections – Celebrating Africa Day. We are going to have an especial guest from Nigeria, her name is Victoria Henshaw and she is completing her MBA in Finances at VIU. She will share about her life trajectory, the diversity that exist in Nigeria, her people background, even where Henshaw name comes from. We won’t tell more other wise will be spoil alert. Hope you enjoy it.

Sharing is Caring: Tapiwa Tanaka (Zimbabwe)

Sharing Is Caring with Tapiwa Tanaka – Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of African Connections – Celebrating Africa Day. We are going to have an especial guest from South Region of Africa – Zimbabwe, the land of the Mbira (Musical Instrument). His name is Tapiwa Tanaka and he is studying hospitality management at VIU. He will tell us about his family, culture, how Zimbabwean people are very family oriented, hard working and they really enjoy their Sunday’s again with their families. Don’t miss it.

Sharing is Caring: Brighton Mbilinyi (Tanzania)

Sharing Is Caring with Brighton Mbilinyi – Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of African Connections – Celebrating Africa Day. We are going to have our Sharing is Caring with someone from Tanzania, his name is Brighton Mbilinyi and let me tell you he knows his craft. He is a Conservation & Tourism professional who worked with the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, Serengeti National Parks in Tanzania and JGI Institute. He holds a Master’s in Arts, Sustainable Leisure Management, and many certificates including Human rights and Climate Change. His passion immersed in Photography and Tourism operation where he spends most of his time to improve his carrier. Watch him and you will see.

Africa Day: Let's Talk About It

Let’s Talk About it – The Power of a Right History – Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of African Connections – Celebrating Africa Day. If you don’t have any clue of why May 25th is such an important date for Africans and also for the rest of the world, here it is an opportunity to learn. This video is a collaboration between Tania Amaral (Mozambique) and Mwila Mubanga (Zambia) on an effort to make sure that everyone can understand the History behind Africa Day. Tania is a dance instructor, professional performer and activist for Africa, from the different cultures & dances to the history. Mwila is VIU MBA student for Marketing Specialization (which he is a finalist) but also at the same time he is studying a Master of Science in International Management. Don’t miss it and hope you enjoy it.

Sharing is Caring: Samuel Makwenge (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Sharing Is Caring with Samuel Makwenge – Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of African Connections – Celebrating Africa Day. Young man from Democratic Republic of Congo sharing his transition from his country to Canada. He just moved in to Canada, directly to Nanaimo, so what his first impact moving from home to here and of course about his culture. Did you know that people in DRC they work Monday to Saturday, the only free day is Sunday? Learn more about him in this segment and yes is Lethy Makwenge brother (our star from Storytelling).

Sharing is Caring: Sonia Malek Koman (Egypt)

Sharing Is Caring with Sonia Malek Komen – Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of African Connections – Celebrating Africa Day. We are going to have a beautiful lady from our Nanaimo community, spoil alert she is the owner of the Nanaimo Bar. Her name is Sonia Komen and she is going to talk about her experiences as someone born in Vancouver, first generation in Canada when all her ancestry is from Egypt. Hope you enjoy it.

A message from
Holly Bright Crimson Coast Dance • Heydemann Art of Photography

Holly Bright

Crimson Coast Dance

&

Tania Amaral

Curator of African Connections

Learn more about Africa
We have provided some links to learn more about African culture, dance and music

Learn about some of the dances from Africa with the Masters in the continent or in Diaspora.

Music and Dances from some of the different countries in Africa

Invest by purchasing clothes, fabrics, masks and other products by African People

Learn about some of the great African Leaders

Something to Reflect on, from the use of word “tribe” and culture appropriation vs culture appreciation

Learn about some of the famous traditional games to the diversify food that exist in Africa

Learn about the cultures in Africa and some interesting facts and the latest news

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