On Saturday, Apr. 5, the African Student Union hosted African Culture Night, an annual event that celebrates the beauty and diversity of Africa’s many distinct countries and customs.
The event was held in the Memorial Union Ballroom from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and featured numerous displays of African heritage including food, fashion, and performances. The night was emceed by ASU members Flora Brown and Melvina Potty.
“From vibrant performances to inspiring speeches, this evening is a tribute to the beauty, unity, and the natural beauty of African culture,” Potty said.
While guests were welcome to flaunt their cultural attire on a red carpet before the show, African Culture Night officially began with opening remarks by the emcees and ASU representative Loretta Aggrey, who welcomed the sizable audience in attendance and emphasized the meaning of the night.
“At the African Student Union, our mission is simple and profound: to unite and empower African students and allies across the campus through cultural awareness, education, and community engagement,” Aggrey said. “Tonight, as we gather to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of African cultures, we reaffirm our commitment to that mission.”
Aggrey’s words were followed by a flag parade, which showcased nearly all 54 countries on the continent.
“Each flag represents a nation, a culture, and a history that adds to the fabric of African heritage,” Brown said.
Various student government officials were present at the event, as were several UND administrators, including Vice Provost Eric Link, Senior Associate VP for Student Affairs Cassie Gerhardt, and VP for Student Affairs Dr. Art Malloy, who gave a speech following the flag parade.
“Africa is a continent that is rich in culture. It is rich in people,” Malloy said. “There are more than 2,000 languages that are spoken on the continent of Africa. There is some of the best food that you will ever get in your life that comes from the continent of Africa. There is great art that comes from the continent of Africa… there isn’t a rival continent on the face of the earth.”
The rest of the night supported Malloy’s words as the remainder of the event featured a host of performances and presentations that highlighted the wide breadth of African culture including a lesson in Algerian music by Houdaifa Khalifah and a powerful musical performance by Yvonne Irakoze.
The night ended with an awards presentation by ASU advisor Hamzat Koriko that recognized the efforts of ASU members who went above and beyond in organizing African Culture Night. Koriko, who was partly responsible for founding the ASU on campus over a decade ago, also delivered the event’s closing remarks.
“Our vision back then was simple and powerful: to unite African students, support each other academically, and build a bridge to the broader community,” Koriko said. “As we leave here tonight, let’s [all] commit to building those priorities keep the connection strong, keep the connection alive, and let’s continue building a legacy together.”
Those who wish to continue supporting African and black culture on campus can attend the Black Student Association’s hosted event, “Rhythms of Diaspora,” this Sunday, Apr. 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom.
Quinn Berg is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at quinn.berg@und.edu.
