Caribbean fever at UB

The excitement and vivid colors of the Caribbean Student Association (CSA) carnival attracted students to 145 Student Union this past Tuesday.

The event served as a representation of what Caribbean life is like, featuring artistic masks, domestic flags, music and food from the different islands in the Caribbean.

"This event is a reenactment. We are bringing everyone together and having a good time," said Roxann Julien, CSA activities coordinator. "We have flags hanging from Trinidad, Saint Vincent, Granada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica and others."

According to Julien, the decorations were custom made by CSA members for last year's International Fiesta. Students represented their countries by wearing the colors of their flags with pride.

"The Caribbean Carnival is really good and cultural," Crismarlyn Valentin-Arias, a junior psychology major. "I am here proudly representing my colors of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico."

The African Student Association also contributed to the festivities by bringing flags that represented several nations including Nigeria and Ghana.

Shanique Pierre, a member of CSA, showed appreciation of her Caribbean origins by wearing a festive costume designed by graduate student Crystal Voisin.

"When I wear this costume I feel like I am representing my country; the colors are shining through," Pierre said. "Everyone is looking at my colors and they ask me (where I'm from), and I proudly respond: 'From Granada.'"

Students were able to participate in crafts and drink popular Caribbean beverages while listening to Soca, Reggae and Calypso music.

"Just walking past the event is intriguing - you hear the music in the background, (and see) people drinking pi?+/-a coladas while making pillows," said Samantha Duong, a freshman undecided major.

The carnival gave Andel Kellman, a freshman business major, a feeling of being at home.

"The flags, the pillow making, the mask making, the Caribbean drinks and the music made me feel like I was in the West Indies parade in Brooklyn," Kellman said.

Valentin-Arias encouraged students to recognize and connect with the traditions of the Caribbean and the West Indies.

"Attend the Caribbean events and get a sense of the music, food, traditions, people and culture," Valentin-Arias said.

According to Makeda Greene, CSA vice president, the carnival as a part of the Caribbean Week served as a chance for Caribbean students to share with others the traditions and lifestyle from their native region.

"We want to show the festivities we usually have. In the Caribbean we have parties, competitions and carnivals," Greene said.

All of the week's events represented the extraordinary and unique festivities that occur in the tropical islands.

"I just love the idea that they dedicated the whole week for the Caribbean because some people can come back to every event and be shocked," Pierre said.

Instead of only being exposed to just one or two countries, Valentin-Arias loves Caribbean week because it exposes students to the whole region.

"This week is a good way to educate people about other countries," she said. "Individuals need to understand the Caribbean is not only Jamaica."

Caribbean Awareness Week continues on Oct. 19 with the "Rep-yuh-Country" presentation and dinner from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. in 104 Knox Hall.