Introduction

World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture

World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture

World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture 
African culture is multi-faceted and has been widely dispersed throughout history and far beyond the African region. In 2019 UNESCO embraced January 24th as World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture. This commemorative day was chosen to be “a part of the International Decade for People of African Descent proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations from 2015 to 2024.” This day is intended to celebrate the many contributes that the continent has made throughout history.  Music, literature, dance, science, and cinema have all had major influences from multi-ethnic African cultures that have shaped the rest of the world. It is also important to note the importance of this day moving in the future towards a more sustainable development and peace.  

© UNESCO 

 

Past Celebrations 
Both North and South America have been greatly impacted by African cultures, and now Afrodescendant groups in these continents have a day to celebrate these impactsAbout 200 million people of African descent reside in the AmericasCosta Rica is one country that joined in celebrating World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture for the first time on January 24, 2020. San José hosted concerts, exhibitions, and cuisine samples.   
File:Guadeloupe winter carnival, Pointe-à-Pitre parade. A young woman,  performer wearing traditional carnival outfit (waist up outdoor  portrait)-3.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Art and music 
Popular music genres of Jazz, rhythm and blues, samba, and rap have their origins in African  
cultureDances and music all have origins in the continent of Africa or African Diasporas. Art and music stemming from African or Afrodescendant culture make great moves influencing peace and development for the future.  
Afrodescendant art and music 
From Jamaica Bob Marley   

Champeta dance with Shakira at Superbowl 2020  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfnrYoJdMD8
UK rap artist 21 Savage
© UNESCO 

Global Picture 
This article is a great way to see how African culture has influence every region in the world. It highlights migration trends around the world and delves into the stories of people of African descent. We can see current and past challenges that many African descendant groups have faced from the Americas to the Middle East through Asia and Europe. 
https://stories.minorityrights.org/afro-descendants/  


 References 

  • Afro-descendants: A global picture ~ Minority stories. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://stories.minorityrights.org/afro-descendants/ 
  • UNESCO celebrates the world day for African and Afrodescendant culture for the first time. (2020, February 24). Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-celebrates-world-day-african-and-afrodescendant-culture-first-time 
  • World day for African and Afrodescendant culture. (2020, June 8). Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/africanafrodescendantculture