USd’s African Student Association hosts annual African Night
USD’s African Student Association (ASA) held their annual African Night on Feb. 26 The event was hosted by USD’s social media coordinator Marcus Destin who began the event by saying this year was special because large gatherings are more seldom with COVID-19.
“I’m gonna guide you through this journey through African Night. Now, this is super special because it’s been a while. We all know what with the COVID-19 year, times got mixed up, but I think it’s been a few years since we’ve been able to actually come together safely,” Destin said during the event’s introductions. “For the most part COVID-19 is not over, the pandemic is not over, but it’s been a while since we’ve been able to come together like this, and African Night has always been one of the biggest nights here at the University of South Dakota.”
After Destin spoke, Hermela Abraham, president of ASA, spoke about the organization and how they want to share the cultures and traditions of different USD students’ heritages.
“Our organization hosts African Night every year in efforts to share the wonderful cultures and traditions of different African countries represented by the students here at USD. Tonight, we celebrate unity, collaboration and cultural identity and this event wouldn’t have been possible without the continued efforts of other organization members,” Abraham said.
Mejai Avoseh, the faculty advisor for the ASA discussed his personal experiences in different African countries.
“I’m originally from Africa. Every time I go to a different African country, I see something beautiful, something different in the culture and the people of Africa show diversity, culture and vibe. This day is simply to welcome you and I’m glad to welcome everyone here,” Avoseh said during his presentation.
The Parade of Flags, which included each country from Africa followed after Avoseh spoke.
Then came a dance showcasing East African dance styles, which were provided by, Fruit Habib, Nardos Yetbarek, and Hermela Abraham and showed more of the culture and style of dancing from the eastern side of Africa
Next came dinner which was Jollof rice, a choice of striped chicken or beef tibs, eggplant Moussaka for people who are vegan and Samosa. The food was provided by Eats with Ashley, Sanaa’s Gourmet, Hot plate and Aramark catering.
Following dinner, a dance which demonstrated the culture and style of West Africa was provided by Shania Rehmudin, Stella Nyangamoi and Sally Lokolong.
Shania Remudin, the vice president of ASA said the one thing she’s realized about USD is its diversity and being able to allow students to show their culture and represent their traditions through various performances, activities and events such as African Night and she is grateful that USD allows them to do such events.
“Being able to host African Night is important for the school and important for the people to be able to see what Africa has to give, what all of these different cultures and traditions have been and all these different countries and what their foods are, because there’s so much misconception about Africa and I just feel like this is a great way to portray that to people,” Remudin said during her presentation. “For most of the (African) students, they get a chance to get a taste of home and get food from home and be able to dress like home.”
After dinner was a fashion show which expressed African culture through dress from each African country. The night finished off with the ASA opening the floor for people to dance.
