By Bazona Barnabe Bado
AZAABAN celebrated its 13th anniversary with a barbecue at Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, where guests from New York and New Jersey gathered to enjoy food and celebrate Burkinabè heritage. Held under the high patronage of Burkina Faso Consul General Estelle Pelagie Segda Gango and opened with a blessing prayer by Apostle Ely Nutifafa, the ceremony also served as a moment of communion between Burkinabè community members and people of African descent who discovered their roots in Burkina Faso through DNA ancestry testing. 
Also present were the Bronx Borough President’s representative, the representative of the speaker of New York State Assembly 83rd district, the president of the Confederation of Alliance of Sahel States in the U.S., delegates of the High Council of Burkinabè Abroad from New York and New Jersey, and the president of the Burkinabè Association of New Jersey.
Ms. Tene Ouedraogo, founder of AZAABAN, described the meaning of the gathering this way: “Today we are gathered not only to share a meal, but also to celebrate our heritage, strengthen our friendship, and welcome those who have rediscovered their Burkinabè roots through DNA ancestry.”
After thanking Ms. Ouedraogo for her commitment to the community, Consul General Segda Gango told the dozens of people of African descent in attendance that they are fully Burkinabè. “We love you, we accept you, and we appreciate you,” she said.
“This event is a blessing,” said Mr. Kenny Anderson, who was surprised to learn through a DNA test that his roots trace back to Burkina Faso. “I thought I was from Nigeria.” Holding a picture of his grandfather, who came directly from Burkina Faso, Mr. Anderson said he belongs to the Bissa ethnic group. “I have never been to Burkina Faso, but I will go to see my homeland,” he said.
His wife, Sandra Harper, said the event was about unity and the connection between African Americans and their roots. She said she was especially impressed by a fashion show presented by Soro Bis, an internationally recognized fashion designer from Burkina Faso who promotes African textiles, particularly Faso Dan Fani, around the world. “Seeing the original clothing made and created in Burkina Faso is something that needs to be supported,” she said.
In their remarks, Mustapha Diaoune, president of the Confederation of Alliance of Sahel States in the U.S., and Abass Nignan, delegate of the High Council of Burkinabè Abroad of New Jersey, recalled how thousands of Africans were separated from their families over generations. They said the event helped reconnect these sisters and brothers with their roots. Ms. Jessica Somé on behalf of the speaker of New York State Assembly 83rd district Carl E. Heastie described Ms. Ouedrao’s initiative as praiseworthy. 
“We are celebrating the bonds that unite us across continents, generations, and time,” Ms. Ouedraogo said.
AZAABAN is a nonprofit organization founded with a vision to reconnect people with their roots, preserve cultural heritage, and build lasting bridges between Burkina Faso and its global diaspora.