Milton Keynes came alive yet again on Saturday, July 6th, with the vibrant and profound cultural heritage of Africa during the extraordinary ADF Festival 2024 organised by the African Diaspora Foundation, Milton Keynes.
As a creative and fashion designer, I was immediately captivated by the sea of colours, patterns, and styles worn by attendees. The event drew people dressed in traditional attires from across Africa—from the flowing robes of Eritrea and Ethiopia to the bold prints of Ghana and Nigeria, and the vibrant colour blocks of South Africa and beyond. The crowd was a moving canvas of national colours and traditional dresses, each telling its own story of heritage and pride.
The creative hub was a focal point of artistic expression, buzzing with activity. The artwork from the ADF Hidden Figures community projects hung elegantly from the ceiling as children and adults alike engaged in painting, colouring printing, sketching, and gluing. The making of shopping bags was one that also featured imaginative conversations, such as what the bags would contain. What I observed in this collaborative space was not just about creating art; it was about expressing inner thoughts and emotions visually and bringing the community together through creativity. This is in line with our ongoing ‘EVERY EMOTION IS VALID’ project and was particularly pleasing and beautiful to watch!
African culinary delights were plentiful , filling the air with the tantalising aromas of barbecued meats and dishes seasoned with traditional African spices. I had the pleasure of tasting Somali cakes and sweets and indulging in the delicious Tanzanian Nyama Choma—a grilled goat/lamb barbecue that’s a culinary staple in both Tanzania and Kenya. Trying these dishes for the first time was a flavour adventure, each bite bringing a mix of new textures and tastes that delighted my senses.
The marketplace was bustling with stalls brimming with colourful outfits, fabrics, accessories and artefacts. The sounds of various African languages filled the air, adding to the authenticity and immersive experience of the day. Families enjoyed picnics, proudly waved their country’s flags, and participated in lively discussions about the festival.
One particularly memorable moment was when I ran into a friend decked out in beautiful South African attire, complete with an elegantly shaped and intricately decorated Zulu hat. When she said, “I’m South African, I love my country and I love everything African.” Her words perfectly encapsulated the sentiment of the day—a celebration of Africa’s enduring spirit, creativity and sense of community.
As we wrapped up a wonderful day of cultural festivity and unity, I couldn’t help but feel proud of our community’s potential and the power of embracing our diversity in its totality. Kudos to the ADF Team, volunteers, supporters and attendees for making such an impactful event possible.
Looking ahead, the excitement continues with our upcoming event on July 14th, ‘UNWIND SIP ‘N’ CREATE,’ where we will explore creativity as a powerful means of expression. Be sure to register on Eventbrite or HERE to join us in ‘SPEAKING THE UNSPEAKABLE THROUGH CREATIVITY’.
Join us to boost our emotional wellness and keep the spirit of community and creativity thriving in Milton Keynes!