Jersey’s African community raises awareness of culture

A campaign has raised awareness of African culture through food, fashion, music and education.

Friends of Africa Jersey has been running Africa Week to help people understand its community better.

It has gone into schools to speak to students and food and fashion stalls have been set up in Royal Square.

Zimbabwean musician Vusa Mkhaya, a member of the vocal trio Insingizi, also came to the island to perform for the crowds.

He said it was his first time visiting the island and “the reception was amazing” as he visited schools.

It is important to share music and culture to show people “how other people live and experience life”, he added.

Seun Adekunle had a clothes stall with items from her fashion brand at the Royal Square.

She said fashion and clothes were important to African culture as it was part of “our identity and our uniqueness”.

“It brings brightness and beauty,” she said.

“You can wear one outfit and know it is Nigerian or a different fabric and people will know it is from southern Africa.”

Washington Gwatidzo, from Friends of Africa Jersey, said the work in schools had been “absolutely amazing” and he wanted to make next year’s event bigger.

He said the students had experienced “something slightly different than they normally would experience”.