Culturama returns with the cultures of Nigeria and Fiji

Culturama is back and with it come two new cultures: Nigeria and Fiji.

“We chose those two specifically because we have had many newcomers from Nigeria and Fiji that we have met over the last two years and we wanted to learn more,” said Audrey Harder, organizer and executive director at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre, which is hosting the event.

“If we want to learn more about their cultures and understand traditions they have, then others must as well!”

Nigeria will kick the week off on Feb. 3 with a colourful display. Spokesperson Chinwe Onyayiri said there will be dancing, face painting, an art exhibition, a dress up station, food, and a parade.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase our culture as well and to show that we’re here in Steinbach,” said Onyayiri.

Nigeria is located in western Africa. It has a population of 230 million people making it the most populous country in Africa and the sixth most populous in the world. The largest city in Nigeria is Lagos, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world and the largest in Africa. Nigeria is a multinational state inhabited by more than 250 ethnic groups speaking 500 languages, all identifying with a wide variety of cultures.

Onyayiri said the one thing that will surprise people about Nigeria is that the “culture is amazing, the colours, the attire, the language, and the food.” For the evening guests will enjoy a savory chicken and vegetable pie.

“I would like people to know that Nigerian culture is unique and it’s a culture everybody needs to explore one way or another. We have lots of beautiful fabric, beautiful attire, and beautiful food – amazing cuisine.”

The Fijian pavilion, which closes the week, will see Island Breeze dance traditional dances and share a slideshow on Fijian culture and people. Food for the evening will include a traditional caramel, coconut, and cassava cake (Vakalolo); seafood salad; and pork sliders.

Fiji is a tiny archipelago nation in the South Pacific of more than 330 islands – of which about 110 are permanently inhabited – and more than 500 islets. Humans have lived in Fiji since the second millennium BC. Fiji has one of the most developed economies in the Pacific through its abundant forest, mineral, and fish resources.

Pavilion spokesperson Meroli Mawa hopes that the evening will show that although the Fijian community in Steinbach is small it is growing. She also sees it as an opportunity to promote and protect their culture for future generations as they are “a proud tiny nation.”

“I guess we are very friendly people. We love cultures. Those are some of the things that pop up in my head. We’re a very much family-oriented community so we’re around a lot of, even though the community is not family, we sort of come together as a family, whether that be a birthday, a wedding, a baby shower, we’re always together. Food is a big part of our culture.”

But new pavilions are not the only things new for this year’s Culturama. On Tuesday, guests can enjoy the country of Mexico with a live Mariachi band, Wednesday will bring popular Metis dancers the Asham Stompers, and on Thursday the country of India will delight.

“Culturama is important because we’re such a diverse community and not only is it important to get to know different cultures and enjoy the music with them, but it’s important to help people to understand different cultures. Why do they do what they do and give them an opportunity to celebrate with us – why don’t we do that together,” said Harder.

Tickets to the events are $10 per person per evening or $50 for the week. Tickets include admission, food, and entertainment. There will be a cash bar this year. Doors open at 6 p.m.

If anyone is interested in being part of Cuturama next year they can contact Pat Porter at info@patporteralc.com.