Post Classifieds
African cultures celebrated at PASO show
By Philicia Montgomery
On March 20, 2013
The Pan African Students Organization entertained over 50 students at the sixth annual Culture
Show Saturday evening at the Social Hall in the Student Union.
"The purpose of the culture show was to bring the spirit of Africa to the campus community," said
Ebenezer Baawuah, president of the Pan-African Student Organization. "The whole idea was to visit
where it all began."
The show began with the host, political science major Bangali Doumbia, making a comedic entrance
as an African man sweeping the stage.
Afterward, the West African Drum and Dance performance group Manding Foli Kan Don, featuring
Guinean master drummer Mohammed Diaby, performed an exhibition of rhythms and dances from
different regions of Africa.
Next, the crowd was presented the original poem "I Am An African Child," by sociology major
Arbai Ramazani. Fellow African students in the crowd hooted as she recited her poem with vigor,
expressing pride in her strong African roots.
The affair continued with a rendition of Bob Marley's "Jammin'," performed by English secondary
education major Sheree Grant, followed by a performance by Buffalo State's Unique Dynamic
Dancers.
Doumbia brought the show into its next segment with a comedic discussion of West African
parents. A group of PASO members, including Baawuah, Ebenezer Mfodwo and Hagar Boateng, and
other students performed a skit demonstrating strict African parents and a typical marriage scene.
"We wanted to share how different cultures' parents act, but we wanted to take a funny approach,"
said Youssouf Kaba, a PASO representative.
A song by Elizabeth Coffie and guitarist Aaron Agyapong followed, and original poem "Mother
Africa" was performed thereafter. The West African Drum and Dance performers then revisited the
stage and invited students in the audience to participate in the dancing.
"I thought the show was really exciting," said psychology major Tifanni Braunson. "The drummers
were my favorite part."
"We wanted people to feel Africa and absorb the energy," Doumbia said. "The culture show is for
the people, to educate and entertain them so they can have a feel for Africa as a whole."
The event ended with a dance performance by PASO's Afrique Dancers, an introduction of the PASO
executive board and closing words by Janet Kem, member of the Africa UNiTE Campaign to End
Violence against Women and Girls.
"The culture show had a great turn out," Kaba said. "I'm happy with how everything went."
PASO's future events include their fashion show in conjunction with the Fashion Student
Association April 6 and Orange Crush Award Show April 13.
Philicia Montgomery can be reached by email at montgomery.record@live.com.
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