PANAFEST | Pan African Historical Theater Festival
PANAFEST is a biennial cultural festival of art and culture dedicated to the
enhancement of the ideals of Pan Africanism and the development of the
African continent that is attended by people of African descent who
convene in Ghana from all over the continent and the Diaspora to celebrate
the music, art and theatre of the African experience.
The theme of PANAFEST 2025 is “Let Us Speak of Reparative Justice-
Pan African Artistic Activism.”
Our PANAFEST TOUR is July 23rd to August 2nd 2025, and includes
exciting PANAFEST ceremonies and activities including the Grand Durbar
of Chiefs, which is a festival of colorful costumes, traditional dancing,
drumming and cultural displays. There will be chiefs and traditional leaders
from across Africa, marching through the streets of Cape Coast, with their
entourages of dancers and drummers. There will be a parade of Queen
Mothers who will perform traditional atonement rites for participants from
the Diaspora.
Don’t miss the traditional celebrations, rites and the joyous displays that will
make this an event something you will never forget.
A highlight of PANAFEST is Reverential Night. Participate in the
Candlelight Vigil inside the Cape Coast slave dungeon to honor our
ancestors. Reverential Night, the most sacred event on the PANAFEST
schedule, begins with a gathering where a bonfire is lit, and candles are
ignited for a procession through the streets that includes festival
participants, international choirs and public officials. The procession
proceeds through the streets of Cape Coast to the Cape Coast Dungeon
entrance where the marchers are greeted by the Chief and Elders of the
community and all participants then proceed inside the infamous Slave
Dungeon to perform the tribute to the ancestors.
As a Pan-African arts festival, PANAFEST places strong emphasis on
performances and each day there will be artistic performances and film
screenings that will keep you enthralled.
While on the tour, participate in a traditional naming ceremony, where you
get your African name and wade in the water of Slave River and participate
in a Ceremony of Remembrance.
PANAFEST is a celebration of our culture and a commemoration of the
resilience of the African family.
Join our tour and enjoy the musicals, dancing, drumming, dramatic
performances and so much more!
