Atlanta set to host crucial Urithi Fest 2025 for Tanzanian diaspora

To have them rooted and connected to their home country as well as celebrate the Tanzanian culture, Urithi Fest 2025, which is to be held on the 30th and 31st of August 2025 in the city of Atlanta in the state of Georgia, has been organised by the Diaspora Council of Tanzania in America (Dicota) working alongside the Tanzanite Community of Georgia (TCG).

The two-day event is aimed at connecting, empowering, and inspiring the Tanzanian diaspora in the United States and Canada.

“Urithi Fest is an opportunity, a moment to reflect and appreciate the relevance and richness of our Tanzanian culture and traditions in our lives. It’s a family reunion, a cultural showcase, and a platform for connection across generations and geographies,” said Tina Lasway, the current Dicota president who resides in Austin, Texas.

For the second generation of Tanzanian children born in the US and Canada, this is a chance to bond, to learn directly from their elders, and to feel proud of who they are and where they come from.

For the adults, it’s a bridge, where their lives in the U.S. blend with Tanzanian roots in a way that’s evolving, dynamic, and uniquely beautiful.

Tina explains that what makes Urithi Fest different is that it’s not a typical convention—it’s what they like to call a “sociofficial” gathering. Yes, it’s purposeful and organised, but it’s also relaxed, joyful, and full of life. They have intentionally moved away from the traditional convention model to create something more immersive and fun. You’ll find business forums next to drum circles and youth pitch competitions alongside cooking demos.

It’s a space where we can show up as whole people—celebrating heritage, building networks, and just having a really good time.

The theme for the eagerly anticipated event is “United by Heritage, shaping our future,” underscoring the Tanzanian culture that binds them and the prospect of a bright future as a united diaspora community. Nabila Ghassany, a Tanzanian living in Atlanta, is the Urithi Fest 2025 local lead committee member. She is thrilled the festival is happening in her city, citing that Atlanta boasts of its African community diversity, hence a strong cultural connection.

It has a well-developed event infrastructure. Atlanta as a major travel hub arguably has one of the busiest and most modern international airports in the world. The transportation system is reliable and efficient, making the city easily accessible for travellers coming for the Urithi Fest. The home to CNN headquarters and Coca-Cola, Atlanta is also home to the world’s largest city aquarium, making it tourists’ favourite destination.

The two-day event will include cultural and community activities; the programme features workshops, sponsor exhibitions, discussion cycles, and plenty of Tanzanian cuisine for attendees to have their palates taste Swahili food and reminisce about their time in the motherland.

A spread of Tanzanian foods, from the all-favourite pilau and goat’s soup to the chapati and samosas that are always in high demand among Tanzanians living in the US.

The Gala night will be held as well, with trivia and a fashion show, accompanied by Tanzanian music blended into the exuberant night, capped off with a dance party celebrating a union of Tanzanian communities stretching across several US states and Canada celebrating their Tanzanian heritage for the two days.

The second day will include the breakfast circles and outdoor activities like relay races, other games, and the aroma-filled barbecues, where these Tanzanians will get to network and get to really know each other over a festive meal and drinks. These key moments are ways that will bond the young American-born Tanzanians with the older generation.

Where the elders will hopefully share more of what they know about their homeland with those who have hardly visited the country.

Billed as a family-friendly festival, much effort has been put into making sure children are having as much fun as they are learning, with kids’ activities like crafts, painting, storytelling, and traditional games.

Activities for the younger generation will aim to shape their future in this rapidly changing world, with programs that include youth scholarship talks, future of work discussions, and rotating outdoors group activities, with family circles that encourage young people to engage, learn, and connect.

 “This aligns with our theme, ‘United by heritage, shaping our future,” Nabila explained. An integral part of the Fest is discussions, and several of these will be conducted, and opportunities will be granted to attendees to speak up and contribute to the future of the diaspora and what needs to be done to achieve the goals planned.

There is a lingering fear that the longer one stays away from Tanzania, and as more Tanzanian diaspora are born in the West, the more Tanzanian culture will be forgotten and eroded, which Tina affirms. “That fear is very real, and it’s exactly why we’re creating spaces like Urithi Fest,” she said.

Preserving culture doesn’t happen by accident; it takes intentional teaching and sharing. Yes, families teach their children at home, but when it happens as a collective—like during Urithi Fest or even events like Kiswahili Day that many Tanzanian community organisations across the U.S. have organised this year—it resonates at a whole different level. She further explained that it’s becoming even more important in the context of today’s US political and social dynamics.

As issues around race, identity, and belonging become more complex, preserving Tanzanian heritage becomes not just cultural but essential. It gives Tanzanian children a foundation and a sense of rootedness.

It tells them, You are not lost in the world. You come from somewhere, and that place is beautiful, proud, and rich in wisdom.

Tanzanian musician based in Atlanta known as ‘Mo Bestev3r’ will be making an appearance, performing his hit song ‘chai siku.’ The diaspora artist is carving his path in music, singing in Kiswahili while aligning with Tanzanian genres like Bongo Flava. On the stage will also be Mr TZ, also known as SanTz, who is based in the state of Maryland. He will take the stage to sing his popular track ‘vidudu watu.’ Urithi Fest is a great opportunity for Tanzanian entrepreneurs who are based in Tanzania and abroad.

The event will be a great avenue to penetrate the lucrative American and diaspora market. The economic power the diaspora community possesses could be very beneficial to the young Tanzanian entrepreneurs looking to expand their market as they take advantage of the strong bond the community has with the home country. Already, many Tanzanians have invested in cargo shipping between Tanzania and the United States as the demand for the two-way traffic increases. Many Tanzanians have exported farm produce, from grains, Tanzanian-produced flour, vegetables, dried fish, and fruits, while importing American farm machinery and tech equipment.

American universities have also increasingly started recruiting Tanzanian students, with several of the universities coming to Tanzania and informing prospective students on how to apply for higher learning in the US.

Attendees will also gain access to essential information, services, and products relevant to both the U.S. and Tanzania. “We welcome exhibitors whose products and services align with the needs and aspirations of our diaspora community,” Nabila said. With 25 slots for exhibitors up for grabs. “We strongly urge Tanzanians to register and have the opportunity to showcase their business,” she added. The event is open to diaspora members of all ages. Expecting fun with purpose, offering a vibrant mix of cultural celebration, meaningful connection, and forward-looking dialogue.

At a time when most of the diaspora communities in the US have had their members shaken by the recent immigration policies and deportation, Tanzanian communities have been some of the least affected. But the threat to their well-being has unexpectedly united them now more than ever.

With their identity questioned and their allegiance tested, the Tanzanian community needs to urgently unite and form a strong bond that will be beneficial not only for them but also for the future Tanzanian diaspora generation.

Stronger ties to the motherland are crucial, as are economic ties to Tanzania, and improved policies to welcome their investments back home are something the government has to consider with a pragmatic view of the current political situation the diaspora community is facing.

Urithi Fest 2025 is not only a fun moment for Tanzanians in North America but also a needed strategic move to mobilise and strategise their future and that of Tanzania with them deeply involved both at home and abroad.