Afro-cultural night bridges gap between cultures

Last week, MSU students had the opportunity to experience African culture without stepping foot on an airplane. Africa is a diverse continent. It includes 54 countries, more than 1.4 billion inhabitants, and four main language groups, with about 2,000 languages. 

Edwin Allan, treasurer and executive member of the African Students Association (ASA), was born in the Republic of Ghana, West Africa, into the Nabdan tribe. Ghana is a small country, about the size of Oregon, with lush rainforests and spanning shore-sides. 

Ghanaians speak more than 50 languages, including English. There are five major ethnic groups and numerous tribes within the country. 

The goal of the ASA is to inform people of the multiculturality of Africa and encourage people to learn more about the continent, to travel there, and to discover the wonders of Africa.

The first African Night took place in 2020 as an experiment, according to Allan. Organized by Sam Ojetola, the president of the ASA at time, Nnamdi Kanaga, the secretary of the ASA, and Allan, the first African Night saw nearly 400 people in attendance. This number was matched in 2022 and was expected last week, on Sunday, March. 5.

With Afro-Cultural Night: Bridging the Gap, the ASA students showcased the cultures of their countries through music, dance, a fashion show, and food. “Culture is not just about language, and language is not the only way to communicate,” Allan said. ASA aimed at including any existing African diaspora, including African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans. The organizers of the event, five volunteer executives and over thirty volunteer members actively helped prepare it. 

The ASA is a crucial entity for African students. Allan sees the ASA as a “support system” for African students coming to MSU, he said. Allan reminisced on an anecdote shared with him by his friend, Moses Yeboah, a former member of the ASA. 

“Moses and Dr. Wigganson Matandiko (one of the founding members of the ASA) saw a student who looked African, and lost. He was an exchange student from Guinea,” Allan said. “He wasn’t actually fluent in English, and didn’t know where to go. It was cold outside. He did not have a jacket.” 

In response, the two African students helped him and saw the importance of connecting with other African students so they don’t get lost.

Attendees of the event were welcomed with traditional Nigerian snacks and a Ghanaian drink, as the organizers presented a short history of Africa and clearly emphasized that “Africa is a continent, not a country!” a statement essential to understanding its diversity. 

The many dances, accompanied by traditional drumming, immersed participants into a beautiful representation and display of multiple different cultures. Through the many different clothing items showcased in the fashion show, it was easy to feel the excitement of discovery. 

As a member of the MSU community and the international community, I admired the work done by the ASA and their commitment to community and to each other.

The event was covered by KBZK Bozeman, and broadcast on YouTube on “Ama’s Haven” page, “Afro Cultural Night.” You can follow the ASA on Facebook @msu_africansociety or can contact them at:msuafricansociety@gmail.com.