The Helsinki African Poetry Jam

Cross section of the poetry crowd at the Helsinki African Poetry Jam, Cafe Mascot

Thursday the 16th of April was a special day for the celebration of Africa in Helsinki through the literal works of poetry.
The event was initiated by the Finnish poet, writer, broadcaster, hip hop artiste, Karri 'Paleface' Mietinen via  Helsinki Poetry Connection, an organization that promotes poetry and poems in and around Helsinki.

The event which took place at the cafe Mascot attracted a full house of poetry enthusiasts and featured renowned  African poets resident in Helsinki, they were, Doudou Touray from Gambia, Ike Ude-Chime from Nigeria, and Izai-zai Ernest Yikona from Zambia.

Top left: Izai-Zai Yikona, Top right: Ike Ude-Chime
Bottom left: Karri 'Paleface' Mietinen, Bottom right: Doudou Touray

Another highlight of the event was the performance of the young Moroccan rap artiste, , El Haqued who has been over the years tormented by the Moroccan authorities due to his rap lyrics which they find uncomfortable.
El Haqued has been in and out of jail because he challenged the powers that be. He was recently aided by some Finnish NGO to relocate to Finland.

Moroccan Rap Artiste, El Haqued doing his stuff

Doudou Touray in action

Ike Ude-Chime in action

Izai-Zai 'Papa Zai' Yikona in action

  

Paleface rocking the crowd

Very positive feed back was received from the large crowd that turned out for the event. Many wished that there will be more of such events in the future.

Etelä Suomen Media interviews Ike Chime

Hurray!! It's Silver Jubilee for Namibia as Namibians in Finland Celebrate Namibia's 25 years of Independence

It was a joyous experience to celebrate with Namibian brothers and sisters here in Finland on the silver jubilee of the great nation's independence. The event took place in Helsinki, it also marked the first public function of the first head of Namibia's first foreign service in Finland, H. E. Ambassador Bonny Haufiku.

     His Excellency Bonny Haufiku

   Namibian Ambassador to Finland

The colorful occasion was graced by a cream of high level representatives of various foreign services, the business community, various organizations and other individuals.

Finland's minister for foreign affairs Sirpa Paatero who was a special guest at the occasion, in her address went down the history lane recounting how as far back as the early 1800s, Finland had established relationship with Namibia through missionary works in Ovamboland, a relationship that continued, and eventually led  to Finland's immense contribution towards Namibia's struggle for independence, and the exceptional role of Nobel Laureate President Matti Ahtisari in brokering Namibia's independence.

 Sirpa Paatero

Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs

Namibia's Ambassador to Finland H E Bonny Haufiku earlier in his welcome address spoke about the hard work done so far by his staff of mostly women in putting together a functional office, and for being able to put together the occasion. He also spoke about the recently concluded successful free and fair election exercise in Namibia, carried out through electronic voting, the first of its kind in Africa.
H E Bonny Haufiku also paid tribute to the out going president of the Republic of Namibia, H E Hifikepunye Pohamba who just recently won the highly acclaimed African prize for good governance, the Mo Ibrahim prize.

Namibia have come a long way to become a shining example of good governance to African nations in particular, and the entire world in general. AfroFinland hereby wishes The Republic of Namibia more successes in governance and development for the continuous progress of Namibia, and Africa in general. We also wish the new ambassador and the new Namibian mission in Finland a very successful mission.

                 A cross section of celebrants

 American Basketball ex Professional, Greg Joyner with Nigerian ex Broadcaster Ike Chime

                                celebrating with the Namibians

COUNCIL OF IGBO STATES IN AMERICAS [CISA] TO HOST WORLD IGBO FESTIVAL OF ARTS & CULTURE: JULY 23, 24, and 25 2015

Press Release:

COUNCIL OF IGBO STATES IN AMERICAS [CISA] TO HOST WORLD IGBO FESTIVAL OF ARTS & CULTURE: JULY 23, 24, and 25 2015.

Chief/Esteem Guests/Honourables/Dr./Dame/Mr./Mrs/Ms;

Planning is in full force for the 2^nd Igbo World Festival of Arts and Culture at the Igbo Village of the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton Virginia, USA. We are calling on all Igbos both at home and in the Diaspora to plan to participate at this exciting Festival to showcase and enjoy the rich Igbo Cultural Heritage.

This epoch making event which holds on July 23, 24, and 25 2015, at Igbo Farm Village,Staunton, Virginia, U.S.A., is the 2^ndIgbo festival of arts and culture to be jointly hosted by Diaspora Igbo Community and Cultural Associations in North America.

The 2^nd World Igbo Festival of Arts and Culture is being organized by CISA in partnership with The Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton, Virginia, U.S.A.,and in collaboration with all apex Igbo communities from Abia State, Anambra State, Delta State (Anioma), Ebonyi State, Enugu State, Imo State, Rivers State, Igbo World Assembly (IWA), Nwannedinamba, U.S.A. etc. and other sister Igbo Cultural Associations in Canada, United States of America, Europe and Asia.

This event will showcase Igbo traditional naming ceremonies, traditional weddings, traditional Dance, Music, Nollywood Films, Books and Literary Works of Igbo Authors in Igbo and other Languages. The highlight of the event will be a rendition/reenactment of the legendary ‘Arochukwu War Dance’- a historical demonstration of Igbo heroism, Igbo Pride, and Great Igbo Culture and Heritage.

This year we are expecting many governors and VIPs, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Nollywood Actors will also be partnering with CISA and other Igbo Organizations for this memorable Festival. Reserve July 23-25^th weekend for your family summer get away in Virginia to attend the Festival. We are encouraging All Igbo Organizations all over the world to take part in the Planning of the Igbo Cultural extravaganza 2015.

There are over 2,500 Igbo Organizations and Associations and Clubs in U.S. and Canada alone, and many more in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and South America. Last year we had 29 Igbo Organizations partnering with CISA for the Event and we are looking for more than 100 Igbo groups to be a part of this event. Ohaneze Ndigbo in South Africa just contacted us to tell us they are coming with a big cultural contingent, with their Cultural dance and masquerade. (ndi be anyi emume nke a ga adikwa egwu).

There will be exhibition of various Igbo Pre-historic artifacts tools and instruments from the past drawn from various parts of Igboland part of the Igbo World Civilization. We are expecting cultural dances from Anioma (Delta), Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states. Join us in the Planning; this event is for the unity of all Ndigbo. All Igbo groups planning to Partner with CISA for this festival please send an email to Okechukwu P. Oranika, Chairman, Planning Committee at oranika@aol.com  or Echiemezie Ofili, General Secretary @ zykosky@gmail.com. We will be posting regular updates on the Festival planning activities as the logistics unfolds.

CISA is committed to working, collaborating and partnering with all, to leverage Ndiigbo in Diaspora as a strategic partner on Igbo advocacy. Its goal is the advancement of Igbo Culture and Arts in Americas and across the globe. CISA believes in working with any and all organization(s) whose main goal(s) and genuine aspirations are founded on the betterment of Ndi-Igbo at home and in Diaspora. No politics! No bias!! 

CISA is committed to working, collaborating and partnering with all to leverage Ndi Igbo in Diaspora as a strategic partner on Igbo advocacy. Its goal is the advancement of Igbo Culture and Arts in Americas and across the globe.

Okechukwu P. Oranika                                                             

Chairman, Planning Committee                                            

2^nd Igbo World Festival of Arts and Culture 2015   

 Email oranika@aol.com

Chudi Asidianya

President, Council of Igbo States in Americas

(CISA)

presidentofcisa@gmail.com

----A brief history of interest below----

1700s West Africa

West African Family Compound

During the 1600s and 1700s, nearly 250,000 Africans were brought to colonial America to serve as enslaved agricultural workers, domestic servants, and artisans. Although captives were taken from a vast area of the African continent, and from many different ethnic groups, the great majority were members of West African cultures that lived in the hinterlands of the Atlantic coast. Africans lived in all of Great Britain’s North American colonies, though their population was highest in South Carolina and Virginia.

Beginning in the early 1700s, Virginia tobacco planters imported increasing numbers of captive Africans to work their plantations. The shift from white indentured servants to enslaved Africans in the colony’s tobacco economy had far-reaching repercussions. Race-based slavery soon became a central feature of life in Virginia, and Africans and their Virginia-born descendents would be treated as property, and denied the freedom and opportunities of white colonists. As settlement expanded westward, enslaved Africans and African Americans were among the settlers in backcountry areas. Nearly 40% of the Africans imported into Virginia during this time were brought from a part of the West African coast called the Bight of Biafra. Many of these captives were Igbo, a people living in the upland area north of the Bight of Biafra in what is now the nation of Nigeria. The West African Farm represents life in a free Igbo household in the Biafran hinterlands in the 1700s.

Contributions to American Culture

Home school Day Visitors

The African captives who were brought to the American colonies carried knowledge and skills with them that they used to cope in their new conditions and passed on to subsequent generations of Americans. Wherever Africans settled in the colonies they contributed to the growth and success of the local economy and the wealth and status of their owners with their labor. When permitted, they influenced the form and function of pottery, basketry, wood-working and textiles they produced for others. Their most notable and enduring contributions to American culture are found in foodways, music, folklore, and religious worship. Okra and black-eyed peas are among the most common items in the American food supply that were introduced by Africans. The banjo and particular musical forms such as Blues and Jazz grew from African ideas brought to America. American folklore shows African influences, especially stories involving animals speaking and behaving like humans. Finally, the enthusiasm and spirit of Christian worship among many Protestant denominations in America is believed to have originated in early African and African-American worship services.

Click here to visit Visit CISA at; www.cisandiigbo.org  
Click here to register early for the event; http://www.frontiermuseum.org/

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Miss Globe Pageant 2014: Vote Now To Make Nigeria Win

Miss Globe Pageant is currently on and Nigeria is in the third position and needs your vote.
Nigerian beauty queen Sandra Ogbebor is climbing high in the on going miss world pageant. The voting online determines the winner.
Follow the highlighted link below to vote for Sandra.
Miss Globe ® 2014 - 24 October to 08 November. World Final 08 November, Shkoder, Albania.
http://themissglobe.com/2014/participants.php#

Sandra Ogbebor, Nigeria's Miss Globe contender

Finland based Nigerian DJ Prince Charles Chimezie a.k.a. DJ Starboi Deemex Wins The ADMA 2014 Diaspora Merit Awards for Best DJ

Prince Charles Chimezie at the Award event venue in Amsterdam

In our August publication we proudly announced the nomination of DJ Prince Charles Chimezie a.k.a. DJ Starboi Deemex for the ADMA merit award, and today we bring you the good news that Starboi Deemex is the real Mcoy as he won the Diaspora African Merit Award  2014 in the best Diaspora DJ category.


In an exclusive interview with AfrobeatFinland, Prince Charles Chimezie narrated how he came about getting nominated for the merit award, stressing that hard work and consistency was the secret of his achievement.

DJ Starboi Deemix

He told our correspondent that while he was in Amsterdam for the ADMA event, he was awed by the fact that he was sitting in the mist of the best names in the music DJ profession and was thinking to himself that getting this far was big enough step; and then Bingo! 'Ladies and gentlemen, in the category of best African diaspora DJ, the winner is......DJ Starboi Deemex, Prince Charles Chimezie.

Also speaking on the issue, a former icon of the Nigerian radio broadcasting profession, and pioneer African diaspora broadcaster in Finland, Ike Ude-Chime saw Prince Charles Chimezie's feat as big step in the continuation of impact of Africans, and especially Nigerians to the social and cultural development here in Finland. In his words, "Prince Charles Chimezie have made us proud by continuing in the traditions of his predecessors".

AfrobeatFinland joins all Diaspora Africans and other well wishers to congratulate DJ Starboi Deemex for this great achievement.

ADMA Diaspora Merit Award 2014 recipient for best African Diaspora DJ, Nigeria born Prince Charles Chimezie (DJ Starboi Deemex being congratulated by former icon of the Nigerian radio broadcasting profession, and pioneer diaspora broadcaster in Finland,
Ike Ude-Chime

VIDEO INTERVIEW

Africa Diaspora Award Dot Com

Helsinki, City of Little Wonders

On my way to a meeting at the Parliament building this morning, I walked through the Sanoma glass building and at the gap between Music House and The Museum of Modern Arts, I saw a little but attractive makeshift kiosk with the inscription 'Klipperkioski'. I could not help being attracted to it and so i did. I asked the charming lady behind the counter for a cup of coffee and she said, "sorry sir, we serve only tea here". I said "ok a cup of tea then, and by the way how much does it cost", then came the big surprise, "sir it will cost you just an act of goodness either in the form of a poem, drawing , speech, just anything that will make someone feel good". You may think this is a joke, no it is not, it is for real. When you walk around within the peripheri of Helsinki center, you will never know what you run into.

It is like a box of chocolate, if you get my flow. Well I ordered a cup of mint tea, my favorite, and sat on one of the benches outside the kiosk. As I sipped my tea with the comforting warm fluid and mint aroma caressing my thoughts, I came up with something I felt could be a good feeling contribution for this amazing surprise. BTW, there were notebooks on every table where one can write or draw something. Before I put words on the notebook, I flipped through it to find out what my predecessors put down there. I saw a kaleidoscope of words, drawings, sketches and graphics, as I read through them I found myself smiling. Some strangers I do not know, and would never meet have put a smile on my face this morning while sitting on the open space surrounded by the Sanoma building, KIASMA, and Music House. This was what I wrote
Are you bitter?
Have a warm cup of klippers
to feel much better
like the dolphin's flippers
 I looked at my time, and found out it was 6 minutes before my meeting starts, luckily, the parliament building was looming just across the road in front of me. I reluctantly got up, thanked the nice lady and went away.
The meeting went well, it was mostly on diversity, equality, and sports, and of course some bits of politics here and there, afterall what do you expect when you meet with parliamentarians, and bureaucrats.
On my way back to the office while walking towards the railway station I saw in front of the Museum of Modern Arts, the great hero of the Finnish Winter war, General Manerheim having a wash.
What a day!