Palmerston North came alive this weekend with the Festival of Cultures. I had the privilege of being part of the organizing team. The festival is a vibrant celebration of diversity. It brings together people from different backgrounds to share food, music, dance, and traditions. And of course, the Nigerian tent showed up and showed out!
A Bigger, Better Nigerian Tent
Last year, our Nigerian tent was part of Palmerston North’s 10-year multicultural plan. This meant we got the space for free. This year, however, we had to pay for it and we were determined to make it count. We took lessons from last year and stepped things up -from the setup to the offerings – and the results spoke for themselves!
Our puff-puff was an absolute hit. We sold out fast! And it wasn’t just the puff-puff—our meat pies were gone before we knew it. The love and support from the community were incredible, and seeing people enjoy Nigerian flavors made all the effort worthwhile.
Bringing Back the Face Painting Magic
I did face painting at last year’s festival, but it was a bit of a challenge. I was deeply involved in organizing the event. I was also managing the Nigerian dance group and handling the setup. There was little space and time for much else. Still, I made sure to get some faces slayed!
This year, with a better setup and more flexibility, I was able to fully embrace it—and wow, was it popular! Kids and adults lined up, eager to get a splash of color. Seeing their faces light up after each design made it all worth it. More view on facebook page.
While my face painting was a success, my candles didn’t sell this time. But that’s the nature of events—sometimes things go differently than expected. Still, I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase creativity in different forms.
Why This Festival Matters
The Festival of Cultures is more than just an event. It serves as a reminder of the richness that diversity brings to a community. As a Nigerian in New Zealand, it’s always heartwarming to see people embrace different cultures. They eagerly ask questions and engage with traditions that aren’t their own.
This year’s festival reaffirmed that cultural representation matters. It’s about more than just selling food or showcasing crafts. It’s about creating connections. It’s about fostering understanding. It’s about celebrating the stories that make us who we are.
Will we be back next year? Absolutely! And you best believe we’ll come back even bigger and better.
Until then, I’ll be reminiscing about the delicious puff-puff. I’ll remember the smiles from face painting. I’ll cherish the beautiful moments of community spirit.
Were you at the Festival of Cultures? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments!
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