IAF’s purpose is to create awareness and revive our cultural heritage through different indigenous art styles and techniques including, visual arts, dance, drama, music, poetry etc. Through this event, those who have Indigenous knowledge in different fields of art will share their experiences/expertise with the younger generation
SEPTEMBER 26 to 29, Asaba Delta State capital, will come alive with vibrant cultural activities as the Indigenous Arts Festival (IAF) makes its debut.
Themed: “Ecosystem Sustainability Through Indigenous knowledge and Practices”, the festival “promises a thrilling experience of the magic of traditional knowledge through immersive cultural encounters amid nature’s tranquility, according to Uba Chukwuemeke Washington, the festival director.
“The purpose for the Indigenous Arts Festival is to create awareness and revive our cultural heritage through different indigenous art styles and techniques including, visual arts, dance, drama, music, poetry etc. Through this event, those who have Indigenous knowledge in different fields of art will share their experiences/expertise with the younger generation,” stated the enterprising Uba, a trained engineer, who is also renowned for his artistic productions through photography and cultural entrepreneurship.
Organised by the Afro-art studio, the 4-day feast holds on the ground of the Indigenous Art Centre, located at the Delta State Film Village, Anwai, Asaba, which Uba founded after he left formal employment as an engineer with an oil&gas company.
Essentially designed as “a veritable platform for networking with like minds,” the festival’s attendees and cultural enthusiasts “will experience the rhythm of traditional music, enjoy arts in various forms,” promised the festival founder and director.
“It will also offer them the opportunity join the lively riel dancing, partake in moving ceremonies and relive childhood memories of gathering ’round the fireplace for storytelling that will transport you through time.”
Among the top bills on the festival line-up is the performance poet-photographer-journalist, Evelyn Osagie, who is famous for her poetic and fabric art campaigns for environmental sustainability. Known on stage as Evelyn D’POET, Osagie is the festival’s guest poet, Evelyn
will also lead a textile workshop on tie-and-dye techniques, promoting slow, sustainable fashion. She would be showcasing various design practices and her fabric artworks, driven by the idea of sustainable lifestyle.
“Festival attendees will engage with the style, and immerse themselves in practical activities where they will create their own version of ‘sustainability’fabrics.,” projected Evelyn, a senior art writer with Nation newspaper.
Widely celebrated actor, Soibiifa Dokubo, will be will be taking guests into the imaginative world of African storytelling under the moonlight.
Also, as part of its environmental sustainability campaign, the Woman Editor, Sun Newspaper/ co-founder, One Million Tree Initiative, Josfyn Uba, will lead the Green Workshop, targeted at students in primary and secondary schools . The session will engage students on environmental issues such as climate action, encouraging them to think sustainability.
The ICC Youth Creative Club, partnering with Afro-art studio, will also offer an art and crafts workshop to nurture creativity among the youths.
