The festivals meaning is tied to the origin of the Ga people and their migration to Ghana. The Ga traveled for many years before reaching the west coast of Africa. Along the way they experienced famine, but because they helped each other, they survived. Later when their harvests were bountiful, they held a feast at which they jeered at the hunger and hard times that plagued them. On August 25 and 26 of this year, we will once again celebrate our heritage and our place within the rich fabric of Portland, Oregon.
All children are free.
Actors will assume the roles of kings, queens and followers of the royal family of each of Ghana's ethnic groups as priests blessing the festival grounds. With the addition of modern technology, Samite merges the traditional with the contemporary, resulting in a highly accessible fusion. Amandla means power and Poets means writers of words in meter. The combination is a funky South African mbaqanga jive and reggae band. AmandlaPoets is a full scale production with rhythm section of guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion and horns.