First Sudanese Festival Holds in Ottawa

Black community leaders at the Sudanese festival: L-R : Godwin Ifedi, Black History Ottawa; SCAO president, Rabah Musa; Hector Addison ACAO; and John Adeyefa, ACAO

Saturday 5 September 2026

First Sudanese Festival Holds in Ottawa

By Onoshe Nwabuikwu, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

On Saturday September 5, 2026, the Labour Day weekend, the Sudanese Canadian Association of Ottawa, SCAO, organized a bazaar at Brewer Park, across from Carleton University on the other side of the busy Bronson Avenue, Ottawa. This bazaar which featured lots of activities including a soccer match, lots of Sudanese food and fashion, music and kid’s games, was the first of a 2-day event to mark the inaugural Sudanese Festival. Day 2 held the next day indoors at the Mosaic Convention Centre on St. Laurent Boulevard, Ottawa, with a projected 400 people in attendance.

On this Saturday and Day 1 of the Sudanese Festival, the pace was gradual as participants began to set up their stalls to showcase their wares. There was an air of a family gathering as kids played on the bouncing castle, and the adults carried on with the business of the day. Things picked up in earnest, once set up was done. Not even the rain which briefly interrupted activities was enough to dampen the mood and enthusiasm. The melodious Sudanese music that wasn’t in short supply also helped to keep the festival spirit going. Happening alongside the music, food and shopping was the soccer match organized by SCAO, which was kicked off by its president, Rabah Musa. And as the game went on, more and more stalls kept popping up.

Speaking to Black Ottawa Scene, SCAO president, Rabah Musa, who was on hand during the set up, she said the idea behind the bazaar was to promote Sudanese culture, unity and heritage, which formed the main pillars under which the festival was being promoted. Harping on integration, Rabah said the bazaar was almost like giving the women a welcome and embrace into Canada. She said this was necessary as many of the women who exhibited at the bazaar do not have formal or regular shops to sell their wares, and quite a few of them preferred their goods to do the talking. There were things for sale like, sesame oil, perfumes, body care products, special Sudanese scents for the home, henna tattoos, food, and more food. In fact, the food stalls perhaps had the briskest of businesses. A wrap identified as Kisra appeared to have many fans. There was also face painting for the kids,

However, the bazaar wasn’t only for women or Sudanese people alone. Amr, an Egyptian, and the owner of The Mummy Perfume Studio who’s a frequent participant at many other bazaars was on hand to sell his handmade mixture of perfume. He was of the opinion that the bazaar has the potential to grow stronger in future editions.

• For Day 1& Day 2 of the Sudanese Festival, SCAO president, Rabah Musa provided some pictures from the events.

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