Cultural Survival to bring world’s wares, tastes to Cambridge

Nonprofit organization Cultural Survival will celebrate 28 years of bringing native art and crafts to the University community with an upcoming holiday bazaar Nov. 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Cambridge College, 1000 Massachusetts Ave. The bazaar, which is being co-sponsored by Harvard, will feature unique products by indigenous artisans from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Among the fair-trade items will be Afghan and Tibetan hand-knotted rugs, hand-woven rebosos (shawls), a selection of jewelry, clothing, art, and pottery, and decorative pieces such as carvings and masks, among other goods.

All the proceeds support an array of indigenous artisans and nonprofit work benefiting communities worldwide, including Cultural Survival’s work with indigenous peoples throughout the world.

Cultural Survival will return to serve the Harvard and Cambridge communities Dec. 1 and 2 for its annual bazaar celebrating the music and foods (and crafts, of course) of indigenous peoples worldwide. The two-day affair at Washburn Hall, Episcopal Divinity School (5 Phillips Place), which will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature performances by the Simba Maasai Outreach Organization, Tim Swallow (traditional Lakota singing and drumming), Indigie Femme (a unique songwriting duo featuring Tash of the Bitter Water Clan, Navajo Nation, and Elena, who is Maori/Samoan from New Zealand), corn husk doll-making demonstration, Ecuadorian band Yarina (2005 Native American Music Award winners), and Kenyan singer Sali Oyugi.

The bazaar will also include a wide selection of ethnic cuisine from Mexico, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Africa, and the Americas. Equal Exchange coffee and chocolate, and organic products will also be available.

Cultural Survival will cross the river to celebrate its winter bazaar finale Dec. 8 and 9 at Hynes Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A (first floor).