An enjoyable affair

 Dubbed Black History Month Fashion Show, the afternoon get together at Tamarac Senior Center was a hit with everyone.

M.C. Sam Munro and the volunteer organizers

We got a  rendition of the Black National Anthem "lift every voice and sing" from Holly Bowen, who has a wonderful voice and is described as a foundation member of the well known South Florida Caribbean Chorale. 

                  The songbird Holly Bowen.

Our art teacher Michelle (center) was there and posed with students Joan and Helena.

Michelle and Hellena

About half of those who attended wore some form of African dress and there were some really beautiful prints and styles.

It was from the participants that the  'models' were drawn.

Seniors in their colorful garb waiting in line for the door to open

Noor, another art student. She came in her Pakistani national dress. Very nice.

As I was one of those who thought I could model, I got no pics of that segment.😊

The Haitian drummer doing the cuckoo dance.

The food was delicious and I hear it was Sam the M.C who organized it all. 

It sure fuelled our bodies to get on the dance floor.

The drummers gave us solos before the proceedings officially started .

The drummers were Caribbean, African descendants of course. The lady was from Haiti and the gentleman from Clarendon, Jamaica.

It was a nice function from start to finish and all the seniors had a great time. 

According to the  M.C.  Sam, (who is also our Site Supervisor at the Tamarac Senior Center,)  the function was organized in record time by the volunteers above.

 He promised that it will become an annual affair during Black History Month. 

Great going guys.

P.S. 

Thanks to our wonderful art teacher Michelle, I finally got some pics of the 'models' in their African garb and a few other pics. 

I am sharing these memories of the wonderful day below.

Michelle with her students Helena and Jennifer 

At the table with top artist Diana

The models

On our own

Day 2 in Lusaka was the first time Wendy trusted us to wonder around Lusaka on our own😊.

Goods on display at Kabwata Cultural Village

But she made sure she got us a taxi which was assigned to us for the entire day. 

At this section of the cultural Village there is living accommodation for vendors to rest or sleep.

She worries too much❤️

We started our exploring at Kabwata Cultural Village which has a wide assortment 

of arts and crafts.

A craft vendor with her 5 month old son

There are 73 tribes in Zambia and two families from each tribe is allowed to sell here, I understand. 

Just like in Jamaica, you should not accept the first price offered but bargain with the sellers to get the best deals.

With the lion in front of museum

One of the paintings in the museum.

The car freedom fighter Kenneth Kaunda, National Hero, used. A entire room is dedicated to the great man.

A versión of Drafts played with local products.

This monument in front of museum, honors an AIDS activist. It’s made from parts of the beds which some AIDS victims had used.

Lots of school children were at the museum

Next we visited the National Museum which I found impressive and educational, not only in terms of information, or even in describing the evolutionary process, but in general.

Unfortunately in those areas where they had displays recreating Village life, evolution , etc, no pics were allowed. 

I did get a mini lesson on how to create beautiful African designs using wax and stamps made from sponge. And learnt also that you can tell which tribe somene belongs to, by the pattern of their print outfit!

Next the driver took us to an area named Kamwara. It’s a nice residential area with a huge commercial section nearby.

A mosque at Kamwara 

He said that’s were the Indians who are Muslims have their homes and businesses. 

The business district reminded me of our own Princess Street in Kingston, as the roads are filled with people because the sidewalks are used to display the dry goods being sold in the shops.

This is the cathedral of Holy Cross. It is said to have been sometimes used to hide liberation fighters from various sections of Southern Africa.

As we drove in, we heard the most beautiful melody which our driver said was in the Loziy language, one of the seven official native languages.

Posing with the singers

It was three young ladies who work as the nearby court’s office, practicing during their lunch break. 

They really sounded good and we spent quite some time chatting with them.

I am really impressed with how Zambians drive in comparison to us. And guess what keeps them from speeding?

The cheap and effective ‘sleeping policeman!’

They are everywhere on the major roads. 

If we could even use them around schools, we could save lives. But Jamaica has no use for economical, effective solutions!

More pics at the museum 

Other stalls at Kabwata

This area so reminded me of Spanish Town Road in Kingston.