Although 54 countries make up the continent of Africa, the different cultures can unite in diversity, said Billy Jivetti, the African Student Organization president.
“We speak different languages, we eat different foods, we have different lifestyles, but we can unite,” Jivetti said.
Exotic scents of African dishes wafted out the door as hungry attendees entered the Seretean Center on Saturday evening. The hall was crowded with people as they inched closer to the wide array of dishes.
Men, women and children garbed in an assortment of vibrant tunics, headdresses and beaded jewelry served food from across the African continent to attendees. As people sat down to enjoy the feast, they met others who also came to celebrate and learn more about the African culture.
After the feast, the crowd of about 300 people moved to the orchestra hall to continue the celebration. Flags representing a few of Africa’s countries lined the sides of the stage.
The lights dimmed and cameras flashed as the program opened with a lone drummer pounding out a tempo. His two companions joined him, erupting with an energy and rhythm.
Catcalls and whistles from the audience urged the drummers to continue. One drummer struggled to hold back a grin, which broke free and spread across his face as the drumming ceased and the crowd broke out in applause.
As the night continued, dancers gracefully whirled about the stage on bare feet, arching their limbs and torsos to the tempo of African drums. The audience clapped in time to the steady throbbing of the drums as dancers in black leggings and short white fringe skirts clanked cans between their knees and around their ankles. Their bodies moved fluidly as they pounded their legs and arms into the air to the sound of the music.
During the program, men and boys patted their thighs, mimicking the rhythmic beating of the drums.
Models demonstrated in a fashion show the typical clothing of Africans. The models were vibrantly adorned with bright geometrical shapes, patterns and beading on their tunics, headdresses and wide cloth belts.
Skits demonstrating African traditions were presented, including a young man’s initiation into adulthood and asking for an African king’s daughter in marriage.
Africans had a story to tell that evening, and everyone in the audience was part of it, Jivetti said.
The food, clothing and dances are examples of day-to-day life in Africa, he said.
There are about 120 African students on OSU’s campus, Jivetti said.
The number has decreased since the events of 9/11 because there are more restrictions on foreign students entering universities, he said.
Most African students in U.S. universities are graduate students or come from rich families, he said.
“As students from Africa, we want to share with others from another continent,” Jivetti said.
“We have to keep the African family strong.”
ASO wanted to give back to the community by inviting other cultures groups to celebrate, Jivetti said. African Night also combined dances and music from Japanese, Indian and Malaysian cultures. ASO invited students from Oklahoma University and the University of Central Oklahoma to participate.
Physics freshman Roberto Elizondo was surprised to see how other the cultures of other countries were integrated into the program, he said. “I liked the way they combined the traditional and modern cultures,” Elizondo said.
The event was great way to relax for Askari Addison, a sociology graduate student. He said it was a unique and enriching experience to see how different cultures interacted.
“I would encourage everyone to take part in cultural activities,” Addison said.
People can better understand the African culture step-by-step through literature and spending time with Africans, said George Basweti, an ASO member. Gradually, people will adapt and adjust to the symmetry of the African people, he said.
At the beginning of the year, ASO has a recruitment booth for new students to introduce them to ASO’s meetings, activities and education opportunities, said Prince Asideu Taku, vice president of ASO. The organization is open to all students, not just African students, he said.
The evening closed with a dance to African and American students playing African drums. Each student wore a T-shirt with the name of an African country on it, including Ghana, Swaziland, Nigeria, Congo, Zambia and Cameroon. Grins and laughter filled the stage as the group celebrated the African culture.
The day was dedicated to all Africans, said Jivetti.
“You can take us from Africa, but you can never take our culture from us,” he said.
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