Morning!
Coming to you live from my bedroom. I have been up since 5:45am taking advantage of the peace and quiet to do my work.
I know I promised to come with this piece right after Eid. But hmm...
If y'all knew how much I've suffered just to get this piece out. I've suffered o!
The past week we haven't had steady power and the internet has been terrible. Just goes to show we live in a Dark Independence - I do hope it'll be an ESDApactful weekend but I guess I have to wait and see.
But like Destiny's Child, I'm a survivor!
I won't give up! *wipes away fake tears*
I know some may think, "What is even left of May?" and to that I say relax, we still have over 2.5 weeks left. There's still plenty of time and Top 7 Things to do in May has you covered!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It also happens to be Mental Health Awareness Week (May 9-15). This is commemorated in the United States and other countries, also some countries like Australia commemorate Mental Health Month in October and World Mental Health Day falls on October 10. This year's theme for US Mental Health Awareness Month is loneliness.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, loneliness affects millions annually and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these feelings which can take a toll on one's mental health.
This month as we all navigate life in a shifting Republic, please remember to take some time out for yourself. It's ok to feel burned out.
It's ok to feel stressed out.
It's ok to feel frustrated.
It's ok to feel tired.
Take care of YOU. As we say in Krio "bodi norto ayen" (Literal translation: the body is not made of iron. Take a breather essentially). Recalibrate and get back to it.
Here are some things to do this month in Freetown that will have you feeling less lonely, so go jam bodi (mingle and have fun)!
1. International Jollof Rice Competition 2022 🇸🇱🍚
I am not even going to pretend to not be biased so let's cut to the chase.
You can start your weekend off by gettin' some good SALONE Jollof at the International Jollof Rice Competition 2022! This is the third annual Jollof event of this nature hosted by the organizers in Freetown.
If you know me, you know I love my Jollof. In fact I am the self-appointed Ambassador of the Salone Jollof Movement. #SaloneJollofLivesMatter- I'm serious. Check my hashtag out on Twitter.
Jollof is very serious business, as it should be. In fact, World Jollof Day is held on August 22.
To know how serious it is, you can check it out for yourself on:
Date: Saturday, May 14 2022
Venue: Aqua Sports Club,
Damba Road, Murraytown
Time: 1pm
Fee: Le 250,000 (at the gate)
Dress code: White
To RSVP, you can contact the following:
Nemata Majeks-Walker: +232 76 601 269
Sama Forna-King: +232 76 385 141
Haja Demu Sesay: +232 78 627 220
Hawa Kobo-Walker: +232 78 487 308
DISCLAIMER!
Please, please, please! This is an all female event only. Sorry men, I don't make the rules - I'm merely the humble blogger carrying out the message. Yes, I know it's not stated on the flyer but the organizers informed me it is an all women's white event so please don't disgrace yourself by saying "ah nor bin nor" (I didn't know). Mina Bilkis don tel yu (has told you). Lonta.
May the best Jollof win! 🇸🇱
2. Taste of Salone 🥘
Na fud plaba bos pan wi dis wiken!
(It's a foodie's affair this weekend!)
Eat teh yu belful (eat your heart out) at Taste of Salone!
Taste of Salone is an annual pop up food event hosted by The Ma Dengn Association.
Ma Dengn founded in 2008, is a Sierra Leonean culture-centric group that curates music, food, fashion, literature and arts & crafts event in Freetown.
I am sure you can also get some nice Salone Jollof - the RIGHT Jollof here. 🙃
Date: Saturday, May 14 2022
Time: 2-10pm
Venue: Paradise Gardens, Lumley Beach
Fee: Le 80,000 (pre-sale)
Le 100,000 (gate)
You can reach them on +232 80 055 453 and +232 78 196 932
3.) Theater 🎭
Performing Arts lovers, you are in for a real treat this weekend! Both a play and a movie will be held:
a) Sing, Freetown
One of the most anticipated movie premieres finally debuts at home in Freetown.
Sing, Freetown co-stars Sierra Leonean Playwright and Founder of Fritong Players Charlie Haffner and Sierra Leonean Journalist and Filmmaker Sorious Samura. The documentary follows the two friends as they embark on their journey to stage the most ambitious play in their nation's history...but it doesn't go quite as planned. This film was directed by Clive Patterson.
To find out what happens...
go to:
Venue: Freetown International Conference Centre (FICC), Bintumani Hotel - Aberdeen
Date: Sunday, May 15 2022
Time*: 5:30pm (Red Carpet time, see flyer below for more details)
Fee*: see flyer above
To get your tickets, contact +232 78 070 218 0r +232 79 488 880
b) Line
Wan Roof Theater-SL presents "Line"; an absurdist comedy stage play directed by Benjamin Decoste.
It will be staged 3 times on the following dates and times:
Date: Sunday, May 15 2022
Time: 5pm
Venue: Family Kingdom, Lumley Beach
Date: Saturday, May 21 2022
Time: 3pm and 6pm
Venue: Freetown City Council (FCC), Wallace Johnson Street
The admission fee is discretionary. Support local theater and contribute accordingly.
To book, contact +232 75 207 422
4.) Chimp Exhibition by the Barray 🍃
The Barray Exhibition showcases again, this time with a chimpanzee twist!
In 2019, the chimpanzee became Sierra Leone's national animal during renowned Primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall's 27 year return to Freetown. She also visited the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and was the subject of American media executive and host; Michaela Guzy's documentary. You can check out the trailer on Michaela's page: Oh The People You Meet.
The Barray Exhibition celebration of Sierra Leone's national animal is on going and you can check it out before it ends:
Date: until May 14 2022
Time: 4-11pm
Venue: Toma's, Cape Road - Aberdeen
5.) Kontri Klos Exhibition
Juwele presents Mi En Mi Kontri Klos.
Kontri Klos or Country Cloth in English, is a thick, heavy cloth traditionally made from locally grown cotton that is spun into thread, dyed, and woven into strips on a tripod loom. It is home to Sierra Leone and other West African nations such as Ghana and Liberia.
To learn more:
Date: Saturday, May 14 2022
Time: 12pm (Kontri Klos Exhibition)
5pm (Main event)
Venue: Decode Lounge, Lumley Beach
The entrance fee is as follows:
Green: Le 70,000 | White and Blue: Le 150,000 | Table for 6: Le 2,500,000 | Table for 10: Le 3,500,000
6.) Menstrual Health Day via Twitter Spaces 🩸
May is home to Mental Health Awareness month and also Menstrual Health Day.
Yes, May 28 is World Menstrual Health Day. This day is commemorated to raise awareness of period poverty globally and promotes sustainable ways for girls, women and those who menstruate to access menstrual hygiene products affordably (and when possible in environmentally friendly manner).
Join Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights activists Haja Isatu Bah; CEO of Uman4Uman and Anti-FGM Campaigner Alima Dimonekene on:
Date: Saturday, May 28 2022
Time: 3-4pm GMT
Platform: Twitter Space @TheAlima
Together we can end the stigma. Period.
7. Blow/Get Am Nice
Blow. Get Am Nice.
(Rest. Have fun)
I conclude this month's Top 7 with imploring you to rest. Embody Mental Health Awareness month and give yourself the rest you deserve. How you decide to rest is up to you, that's purely subjective. However way you wind down from the stresses of the outside world, I hope you do it with intentionality, love and kindness.
Don't be too hard on yourself. Chances are you're doing much more than you give yourself credit for. Take your flowers and schedule some much needed rest time.
I'll leave you with this guide:
I will definitely be taking my own advice and getting it nice this weekend with a full body massage and hotel stay. Don't text or call me, I will be disconnecting by recharging in solitude.
And thus ends Top 7 Things to do in Freetown: May edition!
I trust the wait was well worth it.
ergo sum cogito
Mina Bilkis.
To advertise, promote or be featured, contact me at info@minabilkis.com. I would love to hear from you!
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