Living & Arts

Exploring Africa

In print | April 3, 2008

The Swarthmore African Student Association’s annual Africa Week will begin in earnest this Thursday afternoon with a whirlwind Sharples takeover featuring the traditional foods of the African Diaspora. In addition to offering delicious meals, Africa Week will offer Swarthmore students a chance to celebrate and explore many aspects of African culture.

The overall goal of Africa Week is twofold. With events such as an African fashion show on Friday night, Swarthmore’s African students are encouraged to celebrate their culture. “Showcasing African music, dance and fashion are a few of the ways that Africans can show their pride,” SASA vice president Ama Tettey-Fio ’10 said.

However, the week is also intended to expose the Swarthmore campus to the nuances of African cultural issues. Although this past Tuesday’s lecture was canceled, an exhibit in Shane Lounge discussing the science of African Wars in addition to a presentation from STAND will provide students will ample opportunity to discuss contemporary African issues. “We hope to reach many different people interested in learning more about Africa in as many ways as possible,” Tettey-Fio said.

Its cultural objectives aside, Africa Week is supposed to be fun. “The purpose of the week … is really to have fun with our cultures and to invite others to share that with us,” SASA president Nabta Idries ‘10 said. Idries hopes that Africa Week will help the Swarthmore community at large see that SASA is “an exciting group on campus.” With everything from dance performances to catered dinners, SASA’s Africa Week is sure to succeed.

Africa Week 2008 Schedule

Thursday, April 3

Sharples Dinner Takeover featuring traditional African food from the African Diaspora.

Friday, April 4

5 p.m. – Catered Ethiopian and Senegalese dinner in Upper Tarble

6 p.m. – African fashion show in Upper Tarble

6:45 p.m. – Rwandan Dance troupe performance

Sunday, April 6

3 p.m. – STAND, a student anti-genocide coalition, will commemorate the Rwandan genocide and celebrate Sudanese culture. Location TBA.