September is just a great month to plan a trip to Africa. North Africa is cooling down, so strolls around the ancient medinas and monuments don't require gallons of water every few steps. The harvest is celebrated by many communities across East and West Africa this time of year.
South Africa is blooming with spring and the southern right whales are cruising the coastline. If you head out to Hermanus, you can enjoy their annual whale festival. Further north, the fourth Jo'burg Art Fair will take place on September 7 - 9 (2012). This wonderful art fair showcases some of the best contemporary art being created in Africa, and you can buy it!
Voodoo culture livens up in Togo where the new year is celebrated in style just 30 miles from the capital in the village of Glidji. The Epe -Epke festival revolves around the finding of a sacred stone by the voodoo priests. The color of the stone determines what kind of year lies ahead. If it looks like a bad year, lots of elaborate ceremonies and rituals are performed to try and placate the evil spirits.
Ethiopians also celebrate the new year in September, the year 2005 will ushered in on September 11th. Two weeks later Meskel, an orthodox Christian festival, is celebrated. Meskel commemorates the discovery of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. It's been celebrated for over 1600 years in Ethiopia.
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Image - Animal Farm, Moses Nyawanda, Kenyan Contemporary Artist