Driving through Forest Park on a Saturday afternoon, the steady rhythm of drums carries across the grounds. The day is warm and overcast, and the sound grows louder near the World’s Fair Pavilion, drawing guests toward the 35th annual St. Louis African Arts Festival.
The festival, which takes place during Memorial Day weekend, returned this year after a hiatus caused by the tornado that tore through Forest Park on May 16, 2025. Once again it immersed St. Louis residents in African culture through multicultural performances, traditional cuisine and a sprawling African marketplace.
The drums and music that ushered guests into the festival came from Kumba, among the many artists to perform at the St. Louis African Arts Festival. The youth performance ensemble from Better Family Life presented “POWER SOURCE: A Tribute to the Greats.” The demonstration — a staple of the festival — is led by Samantha Madison, director of arts and education at Better Family Life.
“We are here to dedicate this presentation to all of those who came before us,” Madison said. “Today’s performance is also dedicated to all of you who are engaged. So when I say come on down, don’t be scared.”
Before inviting audience members to join her on stage, Madison explained the “break,” a musical cue that signals when to start, stop or change a movement. Children rushed forward to learn the combination as parents cheered from the crowd.
Behind the audience, the African marketplace buzzed with activity. Patrons carried bags filled with shea butter and incense. Some paused to examine gold and brass jewelry lining vendor tables, while others browsed tinctures and syrups advertised for various ailments.
The market featured skirts, dresses and pant sets adorned with vibrant African prints suitable for casual or formal wear. Inside the pavilion, rows of soaps, lotions and sea moss products extended outdoors, where baskets, masks, sculptures and artwork filled additional booths.
A stilt walker dressed in a burlap robe accented with red and yellow moved through the marketplace in the style of a traditional masquerade. The performer weaved through the crowd, evoking ancestral spirits and offering blessings. Masquerades often appear during major life events, including births and funerals. They are also present at festivals and community celebrations — like the St. Louis African Arts Festival — where culture and community intersect.
The festival’s cultural showcase continued in the food court, where vendors served traditional dishes such as peppered lamb and egusi from Fufu N’ Sauce — a restaurant specializing in West African cuisine — and beef sambusas from Simba Sambusa Factory, known for its Ugandan fare.
Throughout the afternoon, additional performers took the stage. Fumaca delivered an acoustic set with smooth vocals that created an intimate, conversational tone. Tribe Azuka followed with “Dances of Egypt,” a series of solo routines rooted in Egyptian dance traditions.
Next came vocalist Kwame KinDread, a reggae artist whose bright energy energized the crowd. His performance led into one of the festival’s most anticipated acts, the East St. Louis Performing Arts Ensemble, whose presence filled the atmosphere with communal energy.
The ensemble opened with a rolling drum introduction that carried the audience on a musical journey across the African continent — from Ghana to Gambia and Senegal. The percussion inspired movement throughout the crowd as audience members swayed and danced to the rhythm. Dancers joined the drummers on stage, their leaps and rhythmic stomps radiating joy.
Eventually, the performers brought the celebration down to the grass, where dancers showcased their favorite moves before inviting the audience to join them. Energized by the drums and the collective spirit of the performance, audience members stepped into the circle to dance alongside them.
Each year, the St. Louis African Arts Festival highlights the depth and diversity of African culture and the traditions that continue to flourish across generations and continents. Through music, dance, food, fashion and spiritual practices, the festival is a celebration of the beauty, richness and global influence of Africa.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
