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By Damiete Braide
Canada came alive with rhythm, colour and royal splendour as the 2025 Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival unfolded across Brampton and Etobicoke. Now in its third edition, the festival has grown from a simple cultural celebration into a powerful global movement, one that unites African heritage with multicultural expression and resonates as a living testimony of resilience, identity and solidarity in the Diaspora.
Born from a vision to preserve and promote African cultural traditions through the universal language of drums, the festival has steadily evolved into a continental showcase of creativity, empowerment, and intercultural dialogue. This year, it reached unprecedented heights, blending African traditions with Canadian multiculturalism, while providing a platform for youth empowerment and cultural diplomacy.
The celebrations began at the Hilton Garden Inn in Brampton with the Youth Empowerment Programme, a vibrant curtain-raiser to the weekend’s cultural crescendo. Organised by The Drum Online Organisation (Pan-Afrikan), in collaboration with the Global Forum for Human Rights and Sustainable Development, the programme created an atmosphere of inspiration, where young people met mentors who challenged them to embrace leadership, innovation, and self-expression.
Coordinated by Mrs. Folasade Akanni, the session was more than motivational speeches; it was a series of practical discussions on financial independence, education, and cultural pride. Prof. Francis Fasanu of Sheridan College urged the youth to see African heritage not as a relic of the past but as a springboard for global relevance. Dr. Abiodun Bakare of UWORK, USA, brought dynamic energy as both speaker and moderator, while Madam Kehinde Okoroafor, founder of MakeMe Elegant (Nigeria), led workshops offering real-world skills to tackle everyday challenges. By the day’s end, young attendees left emboldened, armed with confidence, and ready to chart new paths of leadership.
If the first day was a spark, the Grand Finale in Etobicoke became a blaze of cultural grandeur. Held at the Emerald Banquet Hall, the venue shimmered with elegance as guests from across Canada, Nigeria, and beyond gathered in anticipation. The ceremony was officially declared open by Mr. Peter Kobina, Consul-General of the Ghana High Commission in Canada.
The evening’s defining moment arrived with the majestic entrance of Her Regal Majesty, Olori Ambassador (Dr.) Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, Queen of the Ooni of Ife. Greeted with thunderous applause, her presence elevated the event into a royal spectacle. She was joined by esteemed monarchs, including Oba Babatunde Tokunbo Awosunle, Elejesi of Ejesi, and Oba Olusegun Aderemi, Atayero of Aramoko Ekiti, whose attendance symbolized the deep cultural and spiritual ties binding Africans across continents.
But the festival was not only about royal grandeur. It was also a profound exchange of traditions. The Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival team set the hall alive with pulsating beats from West, South, and East Africa, while the Punjab Di Virasat Cultural Troupe introduced South Asian rhythms, drumming, and dance. The Funky Cultural Troupe of Toronto added local Canadian flair, proving that culture grows stronger when diversity is embraced. Fashion showcases and dance competitions added vibrancy, weaving together the energy of youth, tradition, and modern expression.
For Prince Segun Akanni, Chief Host and Convener of the festival, the night was not only a celebration but also a stepping stone to the future. “We are determined to keep building bridges, empowering youth, and celebrating the greatness of Africa, one beat at a time,” he declared. He also unveiled an ambitious vision: the creation of an African Cultural Village (ACV) in Toronto, scheduled to debut during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With FIFA’s approval, the project aims to spotlight African drumming and dancing during the tournament’s opening and closing ceremonies, an unprecedented step in showcasing African heritage on the global stage.
The impact of the festival continued even after the final drumbeat. Two days later, Prince Akanni led a high-powered delegation to meet Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton. In a gesture of cultural diplomacy, Akanni proposed that the Ooni of Ife bestow a chieftaincy title upon Mayor Brown in recognition of his steadfast support for Canada’s Black community. The delegation, which included royal fathers, cultural icons, and entrepreneurs, was honoured with certificates of recognition, further strengthening the ties between African and Canadian communities.
The festival also drew praise from leaders across the globe. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called it a valuable opportunity for Canadians to deepen their understanding of African traditions. Ontario Premier Doug Ford commended the contributions of African Canadians to the province’s growth, while Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown emphasized the event’s role in promoting inclusive, diverse communities. From Nigeria, Ambassador Abba Kawu Zanna, Acting High Commissioner in Canada, hailed the festival as “cultural diplomacy at its finest.” The Ooni of Ife, Ojaja II, praised Prince Akanni for preserving Yoruba and African culture abroad, while Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), reaffirmed federal support, reminding all that “culture is the soul of a nation.”
The evening concluded with the Awards of Excellence, coordinated by Hon. Moshood Olagunju (Commissioner for Youth, Osun State), Nollywood actor Muyiwa Ademola, and Prince Julius Ojo, Founder of Julicare Foundation. These awards honoured individuals and organisations making outstanding contributions to cultural preservation and community empowerment.
As the curtains fell, what lingered was not silence but echoes, the echoes of drums that spoke of unity, empowerment, and hope. The festival had once again affirmed a timeless truth: the drum is not merely an instrument but the heartbeat of a people, the rhythm of a continent, and the sound of a shared future where cultures stand side by side, stronger together.
