Amanda McKnight | Staff Writer
Following the Pan-Afrikan Week kick-off celebration on Harris Field Saturday, about 200 people gathered in the Talley Ballroom for N.C. State’s only night dedicated to African heritage.
The African Student Union brought in 2014’s week long Pan-African Festival with Africa Night.
The event’s them was Engaging with the African Diaspora.
Attendees heard from voices such as Africana Studies professor and ASU advisor, Dr. Deidre Crumbley, who spoke about the importance of fellowship and and what it means to be a part of the African diaspora.
“We are trying to reconnect our heritage,” said Omollo Mboya, a Junior in Computer Science.
“Africa Night is a coming together to celebrate our African Heritage to remind ourselves of some of the food that we had back there, some of the dance that we had back there, some of the fundamentals of how were there.”
Members of ASU performed a mix of traditional and modern dances of African Heritage origins including the Nae Nae which has become popular in the last year.
East and West Africa were the the regions featured throughout the night
Skits performed by students gave a small glimpse of daily life in West and East Africa.
Traditional West African dishes such as jollof rice, beef suya and plantains are just some other the foods guests had the opportunity to taste during the event.
A presentation from the group “Friends of the Congo” told of the current conflict occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and charged those with the a voice to help spread the word and educate others about their cause.
“It’s cool that people get together and explore their heritage a little more and get to show everyone else what Africa is really about,” said Kristopher Sutton, a senior in business administration. “The continent is so diverse and students are able to show the effect of their heritage on their lives.”
The MC’s for the night were Tyler Allen, a senior in biological sciences and former ASU President Busola Ola.
