A packed EMU Ballroom audience clapped, yelled, cheered and danced in support of the first-ever Africa Night on Friday evening.
The dinner and show, hosted by the African Student Association, was entitled “Soul of the Motherland.”
Portland restaurant Horn of Africa catered a traditional African dinner of luuku, or garlic-lemon chicken; biddeena, or Ethiopian bread; and mutabag, or African doughnut.
The performance opened with a fashion show. Two or three people at a time walked in tune with rhythmic music and colorful lights down the middle of the Ballroom, wearing costumes from the country they represented.
The 14 performance pieces included a symbolic West African dance, poetry from Africa, flute playing, belly dancing, and a French rap called “I Got 5 On It” by Da Luniz.
“French rap is way cooler than American rap,” freshman Dakota Witt said.
Senior Robert Miller said he liked the Habesha dance even when there were technical difficulties.
“The music went off, and the students on stage started improvising to the claps from the audience,” Miller said.
Performers and audience members danced together on stage and celebrated the evening with a unity dance.
“We exceeded expectations (about the audience),” program coordinator Haben Woldu said.
Nearly 100 people had to stand around the perimeter of the room because it was so full. Woldu said ASA had to fundraise and find groups to help pay the $5,000 cost of the show.
Sophomore and performer Deborah Ochieng said the goal of Africa Night was to raise awareness about African culture.
“Africa night is a night whereby different nations from Africa come together to demonstrate and present in a nutshell what the African culture is all about,” Ochieng said. “To show the African culture and keep the culture rolling.”