• Ontario
• Greater Toronto Area

MACPRI Oware Family Day 2016

MACPRI's Oware Family Day 2016 took place at TDSB's Africentric Alternative School (AAS) on October 15, 2016 under the distinguished patronage of the Honorable Dr. Jean Augustine.

The 3rd MACPRI Oware Tournament seated 52 players.

This was our 3rd Oware Day event since 2011. Our first Oware Family Day took place at TDSB's Africentric Alternative School in October 2011, where we saw a little less that 40 players sit for the tournament. In 2013 when the tournament moved to Westview Centennial Secondary School, we had just over 40 seated for the tournament. This year on our return to the Africentric Alternative School we broke the 40 plus mark with a total of 52 players ranging in ages from 7 to 84 years old sitting for our inter-generational activity growing in popularity.

Participants in the 3rd MACPRI Oware Tournament ranged from 7 - 84 years old.

"Patrons, parents, educators and our sponsors are very happy to see that (MACPRI), an African Canadian community business came together with various individuals and other community based businesses and organizations, to host an event that involves whole families," said event host Kofi Sankofa, Director of the Bese Saka Cultural Summer Camp.

The Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine learns to play Oware with Andrew Martin.

"It is very exciting to see the range in age among the participants in what was promoted, not as a master class event, but an inter-generational tournament, where all ages and all cultures can sit and play together cooperatively and competitively", said Theyma Anderson, Oware Day 2016 Public Relations Representative.

In addition to the big biennial tournament, other exciting Oware family Day 2016 activities included:
Jewelry Making, African Dance, Drumming, Capoeira, Head Wrapping and Storytelling Workshops.

Elder Ekua Walcott, ED of the Harriet Tubman Community Org.

The event also had a brisk African market place and special guest performance artists Nana Yeboaa and Kedar Waterman aka IU provided edutainment for the crowd. FREE breakfast sponsored by Caribbean Queen Jerk Drum was also great. Over 200 patrons attended the event.

Theyma Anderson, Oware Day PR greeting Elder Roy ACHA

Sponsors include: SankofainCipher, Models Entertainment, Batucapoeira Group and Harriet Tubman Community Organization. Special thanks to the administration and staff at the Africentric Alternative School, the Oware Canada team, our patrons, all tournament participants, event promoters, workshop leaders, advertisers and our sponsors.

Evan Electrical Services, which sponsored Oware Day 2011 and 2013, will return for our 4th Oware Family Day, as our principal sponsor.

Results of the 3rd Toronto International, Inter-generational Oware Tournament: 1st place Elder Samuel Stevens (84 years), 2nd place Shomari (11 years), 3rd place Tajean (8 years), 4th place Jayzel (11 years). Congratulations to all.

The 4th Toronto International All Ages Oware Tournament will take place October 2018. For details please email owarecanada@gmail.com.
Photographs by Models Entertainment
Video by Rootz Reggae Radio