Africans & Africa Day Celebration

In the Western world, it’s not uncommon for Africa to be referred to as a single country, despite the fact that it is the world’s second largest continent — in both size and population — and is made up of 54 countries, each with their own unique culture, politics and global identity.

Referring to Africa as anything other than the vast continent it is, containing multitudes of individual countries, is akin to saying that China, India, and the rest of Asia, are all part of the same country — stupid, right?

Since Africa Day has just passed — celebrated by Africans and those in the African diaspora across the world on May 25th — it seemed like the right time to address the world’s continued ignorance about what Africa is, and what being African (or belonging to the African diaspora) truly means.

What is Africa Day and what does it represent?

The very first Africa Day (formerly known as African Freedom Day or African Liberation Day) was held in 1963, commemorating the birth of the Organisation of African Unity, whose chief goals were to eradicate colonialism and nurture political and economic integration within African countries. Originally, it was formed by political figures from a number of various African countries — excluding South Africa (no surprise there).

Despite the fact that the Organisation of African Unity disbanded in 2002, Africa Day continues to be held each year, celebrating ‘the onward progress of the liberation movement’ and symbolising ‘the determination of the People of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation’.

Though colonialism is no longer the enemy uniting African countries, there are still many things these countries — and those in the African diaspora — continue to combat. The annual celebration of their liberation from colonialism serves as a reminder to make sure we continue to fight for African freedom, in various forms, and just because colonialism in Africa is a thing of the past, doesn’t mean these countries are truly free from their history, which continues to shape their present, and future. As such, each year has a theme, to help focus continent’s progress — this year, it’s Silencing the Guns: Creative conducive conditions for Africa’s development and intensifying the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year on the 25th of May — the date of Africa day for the last 57 years — a special fundraiser was organised to help raise funds for coronavirus relief in African countries. MTV Base livestreamed a benefit concert, hosted by Idris Elba — one of the first celebrities to contract the virus.

A number of celebrities — belonging to the African diaspora — made an appearance on the show, including French Montana, Ludacris, and Rita Ora, while songs were performed by some of Africa’s biggest superstars — Diamond Platnumz, Yemi Alade, Angelique Kidjo, and Nandy, just to name a few. The virtual concert helped expose the world to the unique musical identity of various African countries, providing a glimpse of what Africa has to offer culturally.

In the break between performances, the invited social figures discussed what Africa meant to them. When asked to describe Africa in three words, some of the most common descriptors were resilient, beautiful, vibrant, strong, colourful and musical; these are exactly the words I’d use to describe my second home.

The president of South Africa, who also made an appearance at the concert, highlighted that these unprecedented times showed ‘how fragile we are as human kind’ and ‘how connected we are as an international community’ since all human beings are united in experiencing the current uncertainty. On that note: Africa day isn’t a day for only African citizens to celebrate Africa, but for everyone to become more connected to the African continent. In short, to build bridges between people, and between countries and continents, and to celebrate Africa for all it has to offer.

What does being a part of the African diaspora mean?

Wherever we’re born, and live — that is where our home is, whether that be the UK, Europe, the US or anywhere else. Unfortunately, there are plenty of hate-fuelled people within the global community who might argue against this — they are wrong.

Yet, when I spend time with my extended family in Nigeria, it’s wonderful to go for a walk, and not feel like I’m being stared at, judged, or even at risk, because of my darker skin. It’s refreshing to automatically fit in. So, for me, Nigeria — too — is the home of my heart, and the warmth and love I receive when I’m there is characteristic of the sense of community I’ve experienced in all of the African countries I’ve visited.

Being ‘home’ in two places — which couldn’t be more different — is a part of what it means to belong to the African diaspora. To belong to a group of people spread all over the world — some by choice, and others who had no other choice — who share common values. For one, Ubuntu — having compassion and humanity, for other people and for the world, a quality which the late Nelson Mandela himself promoted, and embodied. For another, to be diverse — to belong to a huge community, where each individual is different, and has something unique to offer. Moreover, to revere tradition, while remaining malleable to new ideas and new ways of thinking.

Though I currently live in the US, I grew up between the UK and Nigeria. I’ll never forget the years I spent there — the lessons I learned, and the experiences I had, which only served to enrich my life. No matter where I live now, contemporary African culture, and the history of the continent — and in particular, Nigeria — is stamped on my DNA: a part of me and who I am.

On Africa Day, at home in the US — where I’ve lived for the past 8 years — it allows those of us in the diaspora to set aside a day with which to get together with the rest of the black community — friends, family, and kids come together, whose ethnic backgrounds span all over Africa. When we get together, it’s a sharing of culture — food, music, beliefs — and it’s a chance to celebrate the diversity of Africa as a continent, and to celebrate the differences as much as the similarities.

What does Africa Day mean to me?

For me, Africa Day is one of my favourite days of the year — the one day of the year when I can unabashedly share, and celebrate, my ethnic background, my family’s culture, and discuss issues faced by African countries, and those who are living within the African diaspora. More than this, it’s celebrated by my family and friends as vehemently as Christmas — so it’s a lot of fun (think dancing, singing, and a lot of eating), even though it’s also a time to highlight issues that African countries, and those in the African diaspora, continue to face.

One of the most important things to highlight about Africa Day, however, is that Africa Day doesn’t just take place on May 25th — every day is, and should be, Africa Day. Each day, we should be able to discuss ways to improve the experience of those struggling in developing African countries — and right now, we should be raising awareness about the continent’s struggle with coronavirus — as well as the systematic racism that those in the diaspora, like myself, continue to fight against.