To mark December 20th, the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Réunion, Saint-Denis revived its grand popular parade on Saturday. Starting from the Jardin de l'État and ending at the Barachois, the procession brought together nearly 2,000 participants from across the city, blending artistic creations, music, and historical references before a large crowd.
A celebration focused on Afro-diasporic roots
The 2025 edition chose to highlight African kingdoms, a theme embraced as a return to origins, going beyond the sole narrative of slavery. Each district thus embodied a kingdom rather than a contemporary country, emphasizing a history predating colonization. This approach aims to celebrate the Afro-descendant heritage in a Réunion society marked by cultural mixing.
The procession began with a theatrical performance highlighting the symbolic significance of December 20th, before giving way to percussion, dances, and costumes inspired by West Africa, particularly Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Senegal. For both the organizers and the invited artists, this Fèt Kaf aims to be both commemorative and unifying.
Arriving at Barachois in the early evening, the public extended the celebration with concerts scheduled until nightfall, in a festive atmosphere where collective memory is expressed as much through culture as through transmission.
