For over a decade, Abilene has welcomed a refugees and others from East Africa. In recognition of that, a unique festival returns on Sunday for its fifth year to the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.
The Celebration of Africa, or Tamasha la wa Africa, will be held from 2-5 p.m. The festival will feature the church’s own Alleluia Choir, along with special guests from the African community across Texas.
Visitors will be able to sample traditional East African dishes as well as cultural demonstrations from the Heavenly Rest congregation. The festival’s theme this year is “Hata Mwisho Wa Nchi,” or “To the Ends of the Earth.”
The Rev. Francis Omondi, bishop of the Diocese of Garissa in Kenya, a missionary diocese near Kenya’s border with Somalia, will offer remarks during the festival.
Admission is free and organizers say the festival is a positive way to learn about the contributions of Africans to their parish and Abilene.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: ‘Celebration of Africa’ returns Sunday, honoring the culture of African Abilenians
Reporting by Ronald W. Erdrich, Abilene Reporter-News / Abilene Reporter-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
