Members of the African and Black community from across the Pembina Valley gathered in Morden on December 28th for the Afri-Pembina Party, a year-end celebration focused on culture and gratitude. 

Hosted at the Access Event Centre, it was organized by members of the Afri-Pembina community, including committee member Kenechi Ajayi. 

“We held the party because we are from different countries in Africa and some other black nations all over the world,” Ajayi said.  

Ajayi explained the group does not define itself by national borders, but instead by shared identity and community. “We see and call ourselves the United States of Africa.” 

The community includes members with roots across the African continent, including Morocco, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa, as well as members from Jamaica.  

Submitted photo of the Afri-Pembina Community year-end party

Gratitude and togetherness 

Ajayi said the year-end gathering was meant to celebrate life, faith, and the importance of reconnecting after a busy year. 

“We got together to celebrate ourselves and celebrate being alive,” she said. “We are people of faith, and we know that we are counted and we are complete.”  

She added that community members are spread across Manitoba and beyond, with families living, working, and attending school in communities like Morden, Winkler, Altona, Carman, and surrounding areas. 

“We feel it’s time to get together, ease of tension, take count, relax, reunite, and have a good time to appreciate God for the year and get ready for the new year coming,” Ajayi said.  

She described the event as “more of a family reunion. A great family reunion.”  

Submitted photo of the Afri-Pembina Community year end party

Food and dance 

Sunday’s celebration featured a potluck meal, with attendees bringing homemade dishes from their countries of origin. 

“We had jollof rice that is from Nigeria… meals from Kenya… meals from DRSC, with different meals.” 

Ajayi also noted that Canadian food was included, reflecting the community’s life in Canada. 

“So we had food from different countries, and then on the same table, ate together as one family.” 

The event also included games, dancing, raffles, prizes, and a large cake. 

“We are very loud, happy people,” Ajayi said. “So we come into the hall, play our music very high, jump, dance, jubilate.”  

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Welcoming the wider community 

Ajayi added that the celebration also included Canadian guests, who joined in the festivities, saying they “also put in some African dance, and they did not disappoint.”  

As the year comes to a close, the joy and cultural richness of the African and Black community in the Pembina Valley came together in celebration. A celebration that welcomed everyone and put the joy at the heart of the community on full display.