African culture
Celebration promotes learning, understanding

By NANETTE BITTING
Collegian Arts Writer

Johnston Commons will be filled with the aroma of simmering food, the banging of drums and the rhythm of song during the 12th annual Touch of Africa event tomorrow night -- a celebration of African culture hosted by the African Student Association (ASA).

"It is something we give to Penn State and State College to let our presence be known," said ASA Vice President Alex Mogus.

The theme this year is the celebration of the African family and the extended family. The evening includes a dinner featuring a host of African entrees, a fashion show centering on the traditional Lesotho African wedding and a performance by NOMMO.

There will also be performances by an ASA dance group and band as well as a professional band from Washington, D.C. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the celebration is expected to go past 2 a.m.

"It's something to help the community learn a little bit of African heritage, to clarify misconceptions and to show the Penn State community what we are about. It gives people a chance to meet and talk with the African community at Penn State," said Mogus (senior-business logistics).

Although the intent of the event is to celebrate the culture, many find the evening just as educational as commemorative.

The celebration is part of a continuing effort by ASA to break down the misconception people have about Africa. Other programs include forum discussions throughout the year with topics such as women in Africa and the portrayal of Africa in the media.

Mogus said Touch of Africa is a good opportunity for all students, adding that high school teachers have used the event as a learning tool. People often have preconceived ideas or myths about African culture and this event provides them a place to learn the truth, Mogus said.

"When a lot of people think of Africa, they think of it as not having many cities or being urbanized. It is urbanized. It is just like any other place you'd find," he said. Many things shown in the media are negative things about Africa and the positive things are not depicted, which creates some of the myths people have, Mogus said.

ASA treasurer Asante Yirenkyi has also encountered many delusions about African culture and hopes this program will enlighten those who attend.

"Some people believe all of Africa is one big jungle, that people are uneducated, people are starving or that everyone speaks the same language,"

Yirenkyi said. "One of the things we try to do is show a variety -- all Africa is not just one thing."

ASA President Grace Matiru (graduate-agriculture economics) agrees that Africa is not as homogeneous as some might think.

"Africa is very diverse. People who have contact with African people should have an open mind because we are all different -- that diversity is sometimes missed," she said.

Much of what is learned about Africa in high school is outdated so students interested in learning about Africa should read about it in newspapers or take some African literature courses at the University, Yirenkyi said.

He said ASA wants people to have more of an understanding of some of the things in Africa and the night is meant to give people a feel of some of the culture of Africa.

"Learn by experience. Learn about African music by dancing to it. Learn about African food by eating it. Learn about African people by sitting and socializing with them," Matiru said.

Although Touch of Africa is part of Black History Month, the celebration is meant for everyone who wants to learn, not just black students.

"It is for people who are interested in Africa but don't have a good understanding of it," Yirenkyi said.

However, some say one night or month is not enough time to really get to know another culture. Yirenkyi said learning about black history should not be limited to one month but should take place all year and achievements in the arts fields should receive more attention during this month.

"The idea that it is just one month means that people will only be looking for that information during that month. They will shelve it until February. But at the same time, it is good because it focuses attention on it for a month," Matiru said.

Yirenkyi agrees that everything should not be "squished" into one month.

"There should be more done to let people know what we've accomplished," he said.

Yirenkyi and ASA may not have a year dedicated to their celebration, but they do have a night and they intend to make the most of it.

About 100 people have been preparing for this event since last October. Last year, more than 200 people attended, and this year organizers hope to reach 300.

"The fashion show is a big attractor. It is one of the things a lot of people like to see," Mogus said. The clothing that will be modeled is either donated by community members or brought back from an ASA member's home country.

The dinner will be prepared by a committee of ASA volunteers. One committee member, Susan Kamau, vows the meal will be "yummy."

"We want to expose people to different types of cooking and different types of flavors," she said. "We wanted a variety of tastes and textures and good nutrition."

The meal will consist of dishes from all parts of Africa such as Kenya, Nigeria and Kongo. The main dishes will be Thena Flo, a spicy beef and lamb stew; Yassa Chicken marinated in onions and lemons, and for the vegetarian, Maharagwe, fried pinto beans. Side dishes include Couscous, grains of wheat with steamed vegetables, and Plantain, fried bananas.

"Desert will be kept straight and simple, just bananas, pineapples and watermelon," she said, adding that having cake for desert is western tradition, not African. "We keep it light."

Tickets for the event are $10 in advance, and can be purchased through the Paul Robeson Cultural Center or Black Caucus, or $12 at the door.