The 4th annual African Heritage Month of the African Immigrants’ Commission of NY & CT, inc. was held on September 30th, 2023, in Harlem.
The African Immigrants’ Commission of NY & CT, inc. has been organized African Heritage Month for four consecutive years. Once again, the African community has come together to celebrate unity and fraternity. “ We can succeed when we remove ethnicity, religion, regionalism and see each other as just a brother or a sister,” said one recipient.
According to Mory Kouyate chairman of the African Immigrants’ Commission of NY & CT, inc. the particularity of the 4th annual African Heritage Month of the African Immigrants’ Commission of NY & CT, inc. was that it was focused on promoting African textiles.
Indeed, the 72 hours of African textiles was an opportunity for craftsmen who came from Guinee, and Burkina Faso, West Africa to exhibit handmade clothes, shoes, handbags, and Faso dan Fani ( textile made exclusively in Burkina Faso).
The color and the pattern of clothes have a meaning in Guinee’s culture according to one of the craftsmen from Guinee. And amazingly clothes have their names. Here is an example: “ ear of millet.”
“ The fabric in Guinee is a symbol of unity,” he said. It also tells a story. “ We have to tell our story, and to wear our clothes,” said Soro ‘ Bis from Burkina Faso.
Like the previous editions, the 4th edition of African Heritage Month of the African Immigrants’ Commission of NY & CT, inc. was another occasion to honor several people for their commitment to African community. Many of them have received citations not only from African Immigrants’ Commission of NY & CT, inc. but also from American Congress.
“ We are going to continue promoting African community and honor our people,” Mr. Kouyate Said.
“ We got to come together to promote the community,” echoed David Coulibaly, director of community services, office of the Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.
Bazona B. Bado