EVERETT – It wasn’t difficult for Bryan Butler, 10, to leave his video game in the car and instead enjoy a barbecue and beat-filled music at Forest Park on Saturday for the 13th annual Nubian Jam.
“You get to see lots of people – what they look like, what they do,” said the Mill Creek boy, who came with his parents, Orville and Sheryl Butler. “It’s just fun.”
Michael V. Martina / The Herald
As a group ended a demonstration of traditional African music and dance, Bryan added that the festival celebrating African-American culture also was important.
“If you’re a part of (a culture), you should learn about it, because the culture goes way, way back in your family years and stuff. It’s your history,” said Bryan, whose family tree includes European, African and American Indian ancestors.
The jam celebrated with food, fun and fellowship.
Barbecue sauce and drips of ice cream dotted fingers and cheeks. Several people tried their feet at a traditional African dance. Shoppers thumbed through clothing made from African fabrics, or picked up information about services from local agencies and colleges.
The mood grew somber with a retrospective on racism by Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas, and hopeful with the announcement of a new partnership with the Minority Achievers Program to award college scholarships to black teenagers.
A talent show drew only two contestants, which was fine, since everybody got an award.
“It’s a celebration,” said Cindy Cary of Everett, who comes to the jam every year.
Leon and Arden Watson of Marysville brought their two daughters, Caitlin, 15, and Hannah, 11.
“It feels good to see black people for a change,” quipped Leon Watson, who is black.
For the mixed-race family, the African-American cultural celebration was primarily about togetherness.
“It’s a strong sense of family – it’s enjoying things together like good food, music,” Arden Watson said.
Friends Ozie Greene and Rundy Coleman of Everett lounged on the grass, soaking up the sun and greeting old friends.
“The food smells good, the people are friendly – hey, my place to be,” Coleman said.
The jam helps young black people learn about and appreciate their roots, but also brings the races together, Coleman added. “Look around you. We’ve got every culture here. Fifteen, 20 years ago, we wouldn’t have this.”
Learning about different cultures is something Consuelo Lewis of Everett does every day in her work with Everett Community College’s Diversity and Equity Center.
Lewis, who is Filipino and Chinese, has housed students from Morocco, Zambia, Guatemala, Korea and Japan in her home. The jam provided an opportunity to learn about yet another culture, she said.
“I want to know more … and show that I am with them,” Lewis said.
Brenda Taylor of Tulalip shared the sentiment. “The more you understand of people, the less you have animosities.”
Jam organizer Fredrick Bletson estimated 4,200 people came through during the course of the all-day event.
Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@heraldnet.com.
The Nubian Jam takes its name from the home of Africa’s earliest black culture.
Nubia was an ancient region of northeast Africa that stretched along the Nile River from Khartoum, Sudan, to Aswan, Egypt. The Nubians grew famous for trading in luxury goods such as gold, ivory, ebony and incense. At times, their black Pharaohs ruled from Egyptian thrones.
Many people who live in the historic region of Nubia still call themselves Nubians and speak the Nubian language, along with Arabic.
So why is it called the Nubian Jam and not the African-American Jam?
“Nubia sounds more sexy,” said coordinator Fredrick Bletson with a laugh.
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