Saturday, August 25, 2012

African Market in Vancouver

I had the great joy to attend an annual African Market today and had a good time shopping, eating and chatting with people.

The market was organized by the Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS).  You can click on their badge on my sidebar and it will take you to their website if you'd like to learn more.

Here are some of my photos from the event. Unfortunately, I did not think to get a photo of the people selling food or of the dish I bought. I bought a dish of injera, cabbage with carrots and lentils. The spices MADE the cabbage and lentils divine.

A long view of the CNIS courtyard. If you look at the man and woman in the center back you will see the gospel singing duo from Kenya:  Alex Ominde and his famous wife, Mary Atieno Ominde.

One of the many vendors selling Kenyan jewellry.

Rasta-man icon, Bob Marley image.

Pioneer Kenyan gospel singer, Mary Atieno Ominde and her husband, Alex Ominde,  provided a short and rousing musical set of wonderful gospel music in Swahili. (Sorry for the poor photo quality).



This table is organized by a local education foundation that raises money to send Luhya children to school.  I spent a lot of time talking to the lady who started the foundation. It was good to speak with a local who knows so much about the Kenyan situation and is committed to helping children get an education.


This lady sells books through Barefoot Books.  I bought the three you see below and I hope to gift them to some Kenyan children.

I also bought some Ghanian soap for my mother and I. I haven't used these before but I've been reading wonderful things about them. I purchased the beautiful necklace from a young Kenyan student who is starting her second year of university studies in Vancouver.  Her mother makes the jewellery for her to sell and make pocket money.

Events like this are always wonderfully uplifting and inspiring. During the gospel singing several African brothers and sisters danced for joy before the Lord. I thought I captured a lot of it on camera and was looking forward to sharing with you. However I found out my camera did not record. I did manage to capture one song (minus the exuberant dancing) on my phone. Once I upload it to youtube I will share it here. In the meantime, if you have not yet heard about Little Linet and her prayer and financial need, please read here. Thank you so much for your visit.

25 comments:

Denise said...

Enjoyed the pictures, thanks for sharing.

Kerrie said...

Markets are such fun! Lovely photos Penny, and I love the purchases you made. I would have been drawn to the books also. I can certainly appreciate all the work that goes into making those beautiful necklaces. God bless you dear friend. Love, Kerrie

Jo said...

OMW Penny! When I saw the Kenyan artifacts and flags in your post, I dashed across to visit you! Thanks for this inspiring post of wonderful people in your part of the world, doing so much good for Africa. So glad you bought some books: I recognize most of them from bookshops on the Dar es Salaam airport. Bless you, my friend. (((Hugs))) Jo PS please forgive my "silence" on e-mail and comments. I am haring down the final straight and last week before we fly out to SA on Friday. I have menus, food lists, work timetables and instructions coming out of my ears. xxx

OneStonedCrow said...

Hehe Penny ... love the Rasta flag ... red, yellow and green are favourite African colours ... did you meet any Namibians?

Joyful said...

Hello Graham, so good to see you back! No I didn't meet any Namibians. They were mostly Kenyans and Ghanians although they probably were from other countries too. It gives me an idea that they should have a way to identify what country they are from. Maybe I'll suggest it to them :-)

Diane said...

Looks like you had a good day. African jewellery is always one of my favourites. Keep well Diane

Mildred said...

Very nice series!
Love going to markets like this one!
Thanks for sharing;o)

***
Happy Sunday****

Sabine Gimm said...

I very nice market. I love this jewelry.
Many greetings Sabine

Halcyon said...

Looks like there was lots of neat stuff and friendly people!

Bev said...

Looks like a wonderful market!!!

Caro * said...

Fabulous market :)

Vores have said...

Good morning Joyful.
Nice pictures you show from the market.
Wish you a good day / good new week :)
Hugs Hanne Bente

Jan said...

Hi Penny, What a gloriously colourful day, and a real treat for you.
Blessings,
Jan

Anonymous said...

Penny,
That looks like a fun day. Looking at all the interesting and handmade items.

Margaret said...

Looks like fun!
You'd find me at the crafts tables!
I really enjoyed the gospel music on South African TV when I was there.
Margaret

Farida said...

I'm glad that this event was a well-rounded one that also touched one's spirituality. The atmosphere looks joyful and I'm sure there were many items that you found unique in the market.

Take care and have a great week ahead :)

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Looked like a wonderful day ! Great Pics!

Susan said...

Oh, wow, that looks like a fabulous market. I would love to go to something like that. Thanks for sharing and for all your visits and comments to my blog, too. Susan

Jess said...

great shoots.. I always love the mood on such markets!!

Pat said...

That looks like a colorful and enjoyable market!

Dorothy said...

What a great day you had! My dad... who is Greek and lives in Australia, knows a Swahili hymn. (Follow, Follow, I will Follow Jesus) My kids love to hear him sing it so much, I've recorded it on my phone to listen to whenever we need a dose of Grandpa's African song. It's so beautiful.
Thanks for sharing your own day at the market. :)

Rashida Shaikh said...

Looks like you had a great day, and choosing a book to gift is a good decision. I would have chosen the same.

LindyLouMac said...

It is always fun to browse around such markets,

issatchieu said...

What better way to spend the day with gospel songs playing behind this market. Sing and buy with joy and celebration for God! :) Kenyan's jewellery looks FANTASTIC!!

Jan said...

This looks a very exciting market - wonderful smells, sights and sounds. I will really have to make more effort to seek out some similar activities in our nearest city.

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