Multicultural is a very Canadian concept. Aboriginals, British, Thai, French, African - all have come together in this country. At the Heritage Playhouse last Friday, people of all these backgrounds performed in Pamojo, a Swahili word meaning "together," a multicultural event created for Black History month.
The show, produced by Majik Moments Healing and Makosso Village, featured homespun stories and songs that offered both laughs and thoughtful moments to the warmly receptive audience. Jean Pierre Makosso, a consummate storyteller and performer, provided the show's continuity by relating a tale of a hungry crocodile and a scared rooster that called the croc a brother. By the show's finale, children from the audience eagerly joined him on stage to give their own ending to this tale.
Audrey DeRoy, a First Nations woman, drummed and chanted to honour all nations of the world, while Erin Holland, a newcomer to the Coast, told of learning her beloved African dance in Germany and Newfoundland, proof that good culture travels everywhere. She and Makosso gave a high-energy example of traditional dance.
Both Fon Pawakanan and Lak Menzies, originally of Thailand, also performed folk dances that were graceful and stylized, in contrast to the loose-limbed African dance. Menzies' articulate fingers and wide grin lit up the stage. Throughout the show, Charlie Hopson drummed and narrators Anthony Fast and Makosso provided background and facts about Africa and Canada, just enough to keep the evening educational as well as fun.
Embers Moore spoke about her encounters with racism and sang her own composition, White Bread Society. Maria Idamase drummed and sang a French Canadian song. And it was up to Coast Reporter staff writer Stephanie Douglas and Jenica Vaneli to inspire laughter. Douglas describes herself as a Black Cherokee Jew and she explained how she responds to the obviously curious who want to know her ethnic background but are afraid to ask. Vaneli, whose stage persona is that of Beachcomber Relic's daughter, cracked up the house with her comic routine and songs.
In all, Pamojo was a major multicultural mix and an event unique to the Coast.
