Enticing aromas floated through the colorfully decorated Student Union lobby Saturday as the Haitian SA presented a "Tribute to Haiti."
The event was planned as an effort to dispense information about the country and its traditions, according to Marie Anne Sanon, a junior nursing major.
"The purpose of the show is for other cultures to acknowledge and appreciate the beauty of Haitian culture," Sanon said.
Over 80 people attended the festivities, which were also planned by the Filipino-American Student Association, the Latin American Student Association and Beta Sigma Kappa fraternity.
"There is increasing support for the Haitian Student Association among Haitian and non-Haitian students," said Marie Duroseau, the External Vice President of the Haitain group. "Currently, there are over 40 members of HSA."
The team of organizers toiled for two hours prior to the 6 p.m. opening of the event, working to decorate the lobby, set up food stands and finish last minute rehearsals.
The dinner menu featured Haitian delicacies, many of which had a spicy kick. Sos Paul (a seasoned chicken entr?(c)e), macaroni and cheese, fried plantains, lasagna and rice were only some of the dishes offered.
Traditional Haitian music with touches of reggae vibes filled the air as attendees danced along. Tables were cloaked with red and blue covers, multi-colored balloons, and centerpieces featuring pictures of works of art that depict Haitian life.
Students who attended said the real artistic appeal was found in the performances and speeches given by members of the club and others.
"The dance put on by the group of elementary kids was my favorite part of the night," said Melissa H. Nguyen, a sophomore biology major. "When children enjoy getting involved and informed about cultures that may be different from their own, they grow to understand and tolerate those cultures when they get older."
Dorothy Darbouze, a senior communications major, choreographed most of the dances seen at the event, including the children's performance, where students attending St. Joseph's Elementary School in University Heights danced for the crowd.
"They danced to a folk song that addressed the unfortunate deterioration of Haiti, but, at the same time, is uplifting because it preaches unity, love and mutual respect," Darbouze said.
In Haitian Creole, the elementary students cried out a sentence that translates in English as "long live Haiti, island of dreams!" They danced to the strong drumbeat of the song, and with bodies twirling and arms thrusting, they demonstrated their eagerness to perform.
"The song made me feel good and touched my heart," said Olivia Montgomery, a student at St. Joseph's Elementary School.
Another display was entitled the "Couple Dance." Onstage, two couples engaged in a coy, sensuous dance to attract their counterpart.
Poems about Haiti and Haitian people were also part of the festivities. The Latin American Student Association performed an interpretive dance that focused on the hostile relationship between the people of the Dominican Republic and those of Haiti.
"The poem we put on was accompanied by a dance, both calling for the unification of the Dominican Republic and Haiti," said Dionisia Duarte, President of the Latin American Student Association and UB's Homecoming Queen.
Kushal K. Bhardwaj, an adjunct instructor in the Center for the Americas and the African-American Studies department, addressed issues of academic interest in Haitian history during his keynote address.
He discussed the significance and importance of the Haitian Revolution in 1804 and underscored lessons the world can learn from Haiti's often-tumultuous history.
"The 200th anniversary of the Haitian Revolution marks our duty as intellectual humans to recognize the revolution that produced the first black republic in the Western Hemisphere," Bhardwaj said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
