Togolese Celebrate 52 Years of Independence in Denver

I can feel the throbbing base drum long before I hear the African music. I am joining the Togolese merrymakers celebrating their 52nd year of independence from the French at Hoffman’s Park, in Aurora Colorado on a fine, exceptionally warm spring day, Sunday April 29, 2012. The Colorado Togolese Association has been promoting this event for the past five years where they provide the vibrant music and the food that is fit for a king. Having been delivered a plate full of various meats and rip-your-face-off hot-sauce, I barely have time to taste the fare before I am whisked away to meet a fellow reveler.

  A moment later, after posing for a photo, larger than life Kodo Amouzo, dressed in typical Togolese garb calls to his fellow African revelers in Mina, his native tongue: “Miva! Miva!” While waving his red and white bandana and bobbing rhythmically to the groove of the African beat he shouts and waves all encompassing, “Miva!” his meaning “join me in this space -come dance as a family, a community, let us dance!” An amazing translation for such a little word, yet the call was clear. Soon dancers young and old took to the lawn in an African style congo line that had many video tapping for YouTube no doubt, especially seeing the rare occurrence of a white-lady holding her own with gyrations that would make a native proud.   

 Taking a breather from the hypnotic beat, I am joined by Melanie Akouavi Ezi shivering, “bbrrr, it’s cold here in Denver - I’m from Huston, originally from Camaroon, but I’m cold.” She is handing out flyers for her company MoneyGram, who has sponsored the event by donating $700. She explains that Africans send a lot of money home and that her company is cheaper than Western Union, so their sponsorship is a way to spread the word of  providing a cheaper service and to give away free stuff.

Many Togolese try and make a physical appearance in their native land at least once a year, but in Kodo’s instance, he has not been able to return since his mother passed away in 2008. He has been in Denver for 10 years but still misses home. He adds before heading back to the grassy dance floor, “I can celebrate today through friends, spend some time being grateful, eat some good food, and share a groove with my native people. Miva!”