Hundreds of students and community members gathered in the EMU Ballroom on Sunday night for the African Student Association’s annual cultural night of performances. The event included traditional and modern dancing, singing, poetry and a fashion show. This year’s theme – “The Great 56,” the number of countries in Africa – focused on cultural awareness and celebrating diversity.
Anne Williams, the former International Resource Center coordinator, gave a slideshow presentation entitled “My African Heroes.” Williams, who spent years in different parts of Africa, glorified the ordinary citizens who have helped make a difference in African society. Williams said she could talk about Nelson Mandela or Desmond Tutu, but instead she chose to talk about three individuals whom she admires for their ability to see hope where many would not, unparalleled humility, undying endurance and eternal optimism.
Performances included a skit followed by a traditional dance from Eritrea and Ethiopia. The skit taught the audience “how to respectfully ask for a woman’s hand in marriage.” Another performance featured University sophomore Ismael Coulibaly’s rendition of the poem “The Bitter Taste of Liberty” by Senegalese French poet David Diop.
Coulibaly said he enjoyed helping the planning committee because everyone was given the opportunity to decide what he or she wanted to do in the organization process.
“Tonight was such a great event that proves Africa is much more alive than we think,” said Coulibaly.
Coulibaly said putting Africa on the map takes an effort, but the ASA is trying.
ASA director Evans Temi said he and his colleagues have been planning for the event since last summer. Temi came up with the theme for this year’s event because it emphasized the individuality of 56 different nations acting collectively, as a united continent.
Temi said he hoped people left the event with a better understanding of African culture and with a mind to challenge stereotypes. He said the media often portray a one-sided depiction of African society: starving children devastated by genocide.
“It’s really only a small region that’s suffering,” said Temi, who said people don’t see the businesses, the people or the industry in Africa.
Temi said the stereotypes that come along with being “African” are sometimes almost considered funny. A Tanzania native, Temi said if you tell someone you’re from one part of Africa, he or she might ask if Temi knows someone else from the same region. He said people fail to realize that Tanzania is a big country, and, contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t know every single Tanzanian.
Temi said he is sometimes misunderstood because he does not identify as “African.”
“When people say ‘aren’t you African?’ I say that’s like asking if I’m from planet Earth,” said Temi. “I do consider myself from the continent, but there are 1,000 different cultures and languages, and I love those differences. I celebrate those differences.”
Temi and University freshman Rachel Quinn performed to a song called “Calabria” by Enur that left the audience cheering for more. Temi and Quinn choreographed their own moves, sweeping across the stage in the true spirit of synchronized dancing.
Their sharp, drastic moves earned the dynamic duo massive audience approval.
“I was amazed at the response we got,” said Quinn. She said that it’s hard to have an outside perspective when working on a project for so long.
“Evans picked the music,” said Quinn, who had a solid West African upbringing. “The song has some Afro-Cuban flavor and we tried to tie in modern and traditional dance moves.”
University junior and ASA member Abdul Araga helped set up the food for the traditional African meal. Featured dishes included a beef meal called Tibsi, a vegetarian option called Alicha and a special bread called Enjera. Araga said ASA ordered the Eritrean food from a restaurant in Portland.
Temi was ultimately pleased with the evening’s turnout.
“I hope to bring awareness about African diversity,” said Temi. “I want people to know that not everyone in Africa is black. I hope this helped people broaden their horizons.”
Temi achieved his goal with University freshman Renette Yan.
“I thought it was sensational – very well organized. I felt like I was getting a taste of culture from Africa,” said Yan.
Beshara Kehdi, also a freshman, said, “you get to see the beauty and the elegance of the culture that you wouldn’t get to see anywhere else.”
Freelance reporter Meredith LaFrance contributed to this report
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