A community festival celebrating Gambian and West African culture has returned to lift people's spirits.

Yaram Masquerade Festival drew crowds of revellers to Barking Road Recreation Ground in East Ham on Sunday, August 29.

Newham Recorder: The Yaram Masquerade Festival in full swing at Barking Road Recreation Ground.The Yaram Masquerade Festival in full swing at Barking Road Recreation Ground. (Image: Archant)

Event director Njok Malik Jeng said: "It has been a tough two years with the Covid-19 pandemic.

"As restrictions are lifted and society returns to normalcy, we decided to bring back the festival in order to lift people’s spirits. The response was very positive with a great turn out."

Newham Recorder: A Seneke group performs at the Yaram Masquerade Festival.A Seneke group performs at the Yaram Masquerade Festival. (Image: Archant)

The annual event is organised by Yaram Arts, which is a non-profit organisation funded by Arts Council England.

It showcases mainly Gambian and West African cultures, but has a mix of other traditions from the continent.

Newham Recorder: Young performers take to the stage at the Yaram Masquerade Festival.Young performers take to the stage at the Yaram Masquerade Festival. (Image: Archant)

This was proven by this year's headline act - the veteran Congolese soukous band Kanda BongoMan & Kasai Masai. Soukous is a genre of dance music.

Newham Recorder: Bakary Maneh with son Momodou enjoying the festival.Bakary Maneh with son Momodou enjoying the festival. (Image: Archant)

Other artists included the rapper Halifa, Deeblak, Seneke Seruba and Kora group, Medoune Sabar group and Amy Jah Bless from Stockholm.

The organisers report audience numbers of more than 1,000 people.

Newham Recorder: Youngsters having fun at the festival.Youngsters having fun at the festival. (Image: Archant)