A Night of Celebration, History and Culture

     The Muenster University Center Ballroom transformed into a music-filled venue, with the scent of spices and chatter all around on Feb. 28. Students and community members alike learned about African culture and history through food, fashion and performances.

     The African Student Association (ASA) hosted their annual African Night,  an event that concluded Black History Month and sought to educate people on the cultural heritage of Africa.

     “This event is a celebration of history and pride,” Ishmael Quaye, an MBA student at the University of South Dakota and one of the event’s hosts said.

     The event kicked off with a dinner that included Jollof, a West African dish, and Ageligil, a traditional Habesha dish from Ethiopia and Eritrea. After dinner, a fashion show showcased the diversity of African nations, from their patterns to their beadwork. This artistry display was followed by a three-act play, a performance meant to educate people on the “struggles for freedom and identity” that shaped Africa.

     “In previous years, we’ve had a sample wedding as one of our performances,” Daniela Kuto, event coordinator for ASA, said. “With the fact that this is Black History Month, we wanted to do something new, something that’s not only educational, but also entertaining while shining light on important things.”

     In a country where diversity is everywhere, events that aim to connect people at the university and in the community are a step toward creating safe places where people can share their customs and traditions.

     “We had some people come up and spark conversations about the food and [other] people interested in visiting different African countries,” Kuto said.

     Not only were there performances, but also testimonies from people who had traveled to Africa. They shared their experiences and opened up the conversation for other guests about life in Africa.

     “Tonight’s a reminder that our heritage is very powerful, that our voices can be heard, and that we can represent our culture and who we are,” Tewobistya Birhanu, president of ASA, said.

     Events like African Night do more than provide entertainment for the students, they seek to empower culture and build community on campus. For African students, this was an opportunity to share and embrace their heritage. For everyone else, this was a learning opportunity.