Canada is home to a large number of Black Communities. The largest portion that contributes to this are the African Nova Scotians in Halifax. The are descending from the Black Loyalists, Black Refugees, Jamaican Maroons, and Caribbean Migrants. They have produced many notable personalities from artists, athletes to great leaders and entrepreneurs. There are also more opportunities than ever to support Black-owned businesses and experiences in Halifax.
One of the businesses that are successful is the Mary’s African Cuisine that makes everyone experience authentic Ghanaian flavours right in the heart of Halifax. Mary started her business as a rice seller in Achimota, at a little wooden stand, when she was just a teenager. She now has over 30 years of experience in the culinary industry, and is the proprietress of Mary’s African Cuisine (a full-service African Restaurant in Downtown Halifax), Kicks Café (a soccer themed café in the BMO Soccer Centre in Halifax), and a catering division that serves weddings, festivals, and large events with food, drinks and specialty cakes. One of the most famous platters of Mary is the popular stewed oxtail, and a bottle of fresh house-made juice.
You can also dine in R&B Kitchen which specializes in soul food and Caribbean cuisine. This is a family-owned African Nova Scotian restaurant located in Dartmouth. Fill your tummies with some of their top meals such as Rasta Pasta, Fried Chicken Alfredo, the Soul Bowl/Burger, and Jerk Chicken and Oxtail.
You can also enjoy authentic Jamaican food made with mainly locally sourced ingredients in Brawta Jamaican Jerk Joint. They came from the beautiful isle of Jamaica and hardworking women who passed on a love for cooking and tradition of sharing! This resto aims to bring the best cultural experience to you! The name Brawta is a term used in Jamaica that means a ‘freebie’ ‘bonus’, ‘extra’. So, prepare your stomachs for extras because they make their own unique blend of spices that is sourced locally as well as brought from Jamaica to create the authentic Jamaican flavours they are known for.
Looking for desserts? Then stop by at the Black Bear Ice Cream! Indulge yourselves with homemade ice cream shop on Halifax’s New and improved Waterfront!
When you have your energies refilled with these amazing foods, you can now hop aboard the most popular boat tour in Atlantic Canada! The Harbour Hopper is a 55-minute guided tour that introduces you to the best of Halifax by land and sea! Have an exclusive view of the beauty of the different historical sights such as the Grand Parade and Citadel Hill National Historic Site. You will also be continuing your adventure into the Halifax harbor and prepare to be amazed with the amazing sceneries from the George’s Island, Cable Wharf, and the Halifax waterfront.
After the tour, you can take a closer look on the deeper histories of the Black Community in Halifax. One of the communities is the African Nova Scotians who resided in Africville. Located on the northern shore of Halifax Harbour, the community was destroyed in the 1960s to make way for industrial development. The Africville Museum, in a replica of the Seaview United Baptist Church, is a place where former residents and their descendants can (re)connect, learn about their history and rebuild a sense of place and pride. This attraction strengthens the province as a Black Heritage destination, and adds to African Nova-Scotian themed attractions. This is a great venue to remember the story of Africville and to recognize its contribution to Canadian and specifically, African diasporic history.
Are you excited to visit Halifax? More of these attractions and other establishments to see at https://discoverhalifaxns.com/experience-african-nova-scotian-culture-in-halifax/
Reference:
https://www.marysafricancuisine.com/
https://www.harbourhopper.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blackbearicecream/
https://africvillemuseum.org
https://discoverhalifaxns.com
Photo credits to https://discoverhalifaxns.com/experience-african-nova-scotian-culture-in-halifax/
