Odunde Festival

Odunde Festival

Early June

The Odunde Festival takes place annually on the streets of south Philadelphia over the second weekend in June. Odunde means "Happy New Year" in the language of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. A celebration of the African new year, the Odunde Festival centers on a vibrant procession to the Schuylkill River, where participants make offerings of flowers and fruit to the River Goddess Oshun. Oshun is one of 401 orishas, similar to Christian saints, revered in the Yoruba religion, Ifa. Drumming, singing, incantations, and prayers accompany the procession and offerings. All are welcome to take part in the parade and ceremonies.
The festival also features a wealth of entertainment, from rap to fashion shows to tap dancing to African dance. African-centered food, crafts, clothing, and jewelry are on offer. The festival also has incorporated such events as a reception for ambassadors and an African business symposium. Founded in 1975 with a $100 grant, the popular, free festival welcomes as many as 500,000 participants over its three days.

CONTACTS:
Odunde, Inc.
P.O. Box 21748
Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-732-8510; fax: 215-732-8508
www.odundeinc.org

SOURCES:
AAH-2007, p. 361
HolSymbols-2009, p. 652