‘Djembe’ – the name of a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet African drum played with bare hands, comes from the African phrase "Anke djé, anke bé", which means "everyone gather together in peace".
That’s what happened last week in The Mall. The djembe playing gathered people for the inauguration of an interesting exhibition, commemorating the African contributions to the World War II in the Black History Month.
The organiser Cllr Maria Lovell said, “This photographic illustration will remain open for a month at the Church Street Windows in The Mall. Our vision is to build an African Museum & Community Centre in Luton where we can display such contributions of Africans, Caribbeans & others in the making of Great Britain.”
As the African drummers were drumming in The Mall, outside in St George’s Square, South Asian drummers were beating the Indian & Pakistani traditional Dhol Drums to galvanize the mood for the Indian festival Diwali celebrations.
The Dhol drums originated in the region of Punjab in India & Pakistan. It is integral part of Bhangra music and dance and is used at south Asian weddings and other celebrations. Even with the Afro-Cuban bongos, the Dhol provides the backbone to a musical ensemble that creates an almost irresistible urge to move with the rhythm.
The Dhol playing was part of the two-day Diwali celebrations put together by “Diwali in Luton” initiative in partnership with OM Group, Lyca Radio & The Mall. The event featured live performances from some local and top Indian/Bhangra artists and performers, as well as some amazing stalls, tasty food places and workshops. The event finished off in style with spectacular fireworks finale.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all South Asian Celebrations and is celebrated by Jains and Sikhs as well as Hindus. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Deepavali’, meaning rows of lighted lamps.
For Hindus, it marks the triumphant return of Lord Rama and Sita to their home after defeating a Demon King.
Sikhs celebrate it as the ‘Bandi Chhor Divas’ marking the sixth Guru Hargobind Singh Ji’s release from prison in 1619.
Jains celebrate it because their founder Lord Mahavira had attained ‘Moksha’ meaning eternal bliss.
Attend by thousands and co-organised by Muslims, Hindus and people from many different backgrounds, last weekend’s “Diwali in Luton” proclaimed nothing can divide us – we are one human race. This was significant in defying the recent Hindu-Muslim communal tensions incited by a few miscreants in a few parts in the UK.
Thanking Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) for bringing different communities of Luton together, a Hindu Temple Committee Member said, “In Hinduism, we have a belief called “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” that the whole world is one family. LCoF is the very personification of that principle.”
On this Diwali festival of light, the Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj Mandir in Lewsey Farm raised £1,100 for the Pakistan flood appeal. Luton’s amazing community cohesion continues to transcend borders and barriers, globally and locally, and long may it continue.
Diwali in Luton 2022 in partnership with Lyca Radio & The Mall
Luton Hindu Temple President Mr Kanti Lad & other Committee Members, at “Diwali in Luton” 2022 celebrations in St George’s Square Luton, proclaimed the core Hindu belief “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” meaning the whole world is one family.
Attend by thousands and co-organised by Muslims, Hindus and people from many different backgrounds, “Diwali in Luton” 2022 proclaimed nothing can divide us – we are one human race.
On Diwali festival of light, the Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj Mandir in Lewsey Farm raised £1,100 for the Pakistan flood appeal.