It’s been 3 days since the 2024 edition of the Afropolis festival kicked off and my oh my, what a festival!
Themed “We Need New Myths,” the festival is currently taking place at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and Heritage in Lagos, Nigeria, and without a doubt, history is being made!
A myth is a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being, hero, or event that is larger than life. It transcends time as it is passed down from generation to generation, with each retelling increasing its aura and ethereal status. This is what Afropolis seeks to achieve this year and clearly, the festival is on the right path, as it has dazzled from the very start.
This year’s program which kicked off on the 26th of October and ends on the 3rd of November features a variety of talented personalities ranging from musical artists like Dotti the Deity, Oba the Musician, and Hot Grooves, to performing artists and choreographers such as Hermes Iyele, King Davinci, Charlie Brown, Alibeta from Senegal, Kossivi Afiadegnigban, and the VONVONLI team, among others. Also gracing the festival are esteemed figures, including the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the special adviser to the governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe.
So far, we have witnessed a seamless melding of art, music and culture as the program showcases artists and sculptors with exotic and exquisite pieces that leave people transfixed, talking drummers creating strong rhythmic beats that compel people to dance, and skilled dancers whose fluid movements make onlookers wish they too could dance.
It is not surprising then that a multitude of individuals have gathered here to witness the unfolding of this new-age myth, right before their eyes.
The finery exhibited at this festival is unmatched, showcasing the beauty and rich heritage of the Nigerian culture with people wearing beautiful agbadas, kimonos, dashikis, and other traditional attire adorned with the most dazzling colours and patterns.
Also contributing to the event in their unique ways are organizations such as the Kaffy Boss Academy and the Q Dance Center amongst others
All in all, this is a festival for the ages, and stories will be told of this event for a long, long time. Of course, that is the plan, isn’t it? It is the beginning of a new myth, after all.
Afropolis has been described by many as a movement, a culture, a lifestyle. In truth, it is all of those things and more.
Afropolis can best be described as an ever-evolving and thriving life force that has continued to inspire admiration over the years by the mere mention of its name in creative circles.
This festival initially began as ‘danceGATHERING’ a dance lab and antidisciplinary gathering of anti-national artists, thinkers, activists, and researchers who came together to radically transform performance art into something fluid and unrestricted by a singular niche.
It was pioneered in 2017 by the revolutionary genius Qudus Onikeku, a Nigerian dance maker, culture curator, creative/tech entrepreneur, and renowned community organizer and has since taken place once every year.
In 2021, ‘danceGATHERING’ evolved into AFROPOLIS, a hybrid gathering that occurs both virtually and physically, with the core purpose of serving as a techno-cultural model that highlights African excellence expressed through dance.
Essentially, it was designed as a prime platform for youth across the continent to showcase their talent without the limitations of location, race, or tribe.
Three years later, it is clear how well they have done in achieving this goal.
We can certainly expect more amazing feats from Qudus Onikeku and his team in the years to come.
What’s your take on the festival? Leave us a comment below.