The vibrant Saturday night air was filled with pride as Jambo Africa 2007 celebrated community across cultures in Harriman Hall on South Campus.
"Jambo" is the word for "Hello" in Swahili. The event's title, "Hello Africa," reflects its goal ?? introducing UB students to African countries and cultures.
The African Student Association (ASA) hosted the annual pageant.
"It's a way of saying ?Aehello and welcome' for Africans and non-Africans," said Kelechi Egbuta, president of the ASA. "The pageant is a unique way of showing our culture."
The night began with a dinner of African meals made by ASA members with dishes such as Moin-moin, efo soup, jollof rice and beef stew.
"We wanted to make things dynamic, to diversify," Egbuta said. "African culture is not just one-dimensional, there are other cultures that are related and have African influence."
Egbuta says that such collaboration is important because it shows that the clubs support each other.
The pageant consisted of three parts, beginning with a segment where contestants wore traditional attire and introduced their country. A talent segment followed and included traditional dancing, singing and drumming, as well as a one-woman play relating a bit of everyday life in Nigeria.
Hosts Ashish Abraham and Esther Annan encouraged students to attend "UB for Darfur" fundraiser events taking place from April 23-26 to support victims of genocide in western Sudan.
Events include a feature in the Student Union Theater from 5-7 p.m. on the 23rd, an informational booth and bake sale in the Student Union on the 24th, a march around campus on the 25th and a dinner fundraiser in the Center for the Arts on the 26th.
"If there is no interest, there will be no action. Take it upon yourself to make a difference," said Peter Mayan, a Sudanese international studies major, King of Jambo 2005 and pageant judge.
"America is multi-culturally diverse, and Africa is a part of that culture," Mayan said. "?AeJambo' is a chance to show something positive about Africa."
Mayan says that too often the world sees only negative images of violence in Africa portrayed in the media.
"As a proud African, I know we have a lot to offer beyond the negative images on TV. Jambo is a chance to show people from Africa as well as all over the world what we're about," he said.
The pageant finished with the announcement of pageant winners and crowning of Jambo King and Queen.
First place winner and King of Jambo was Victor Habinshuti, representing Rwanda. First place winner and Queen of Jambo was Abiola Olatunde, representing Nigeria.
As a special honor, Simeon Chilungu, founder of the ASA in 1968, was in attendance with his family. Chilungu said he founded the ASA in order to have cultural events and guest speakers recognized on campus for the sake of UB students as well as the larger community.
"I think it's wonderful that sharing the experience of African descent is still continuing, I congratulate them on their accomplishments," Chilungu said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
