 "Photo: Elizabeth Moskowitz")
Music from "The Lion King" filled the Main Mall Friday night as dozens of students danced, creating a weaving pattern with the flags of Africa's nations on the Tower steps.
The celebration was the African Students Association's 10th annual Fest Africa. The festival included music, dance, poetry and fashion performances.
"We started with the 'Lion King' music because it's what people think of when they hear Africa, but the later performances show diversity," said event co-chair and biology sophomore Uchenna Brian Aguh.
The African Students Association is unique because it is not about one culture, but all the countries of Africa, Aguh said.
"Africa is a diverse continent," said Christiana Datubo-Brown, a human development and family sciences junior. "A lot of people don't even know it's a continent."
Association members hoped the event would correct people's misconceptions about Africa, she said.
"AIDS and camels - that's all some people think of when they hear Africa," Datubo-Brown said. "Instead of getting upset, our generation needs to show them [the differences]."
Datubo-Brown and human development junior Patricia Adesanya are two of the association's dance coordinators. They performed at the Friday night event.
"UT's African community is small, so it's nice for us to share their culture with each other," Datubo-Brown said. "It's like a home away from home."
Chemical engineering senior Afolabi Ogunnaike and psychology junior Modupe Olagundoye emceed the event.
"Africa is the cradle of all civilization," Ogunnaike said. "Everything comes from Africa."
Filipino Students Association members dressed in colorful tapestries and performed a traditional dance, and two students from the Texas Latin Dance club performed a salsa dance.
Communication studies junior Karen Azeez said Latin music and dance styles were highly influenced by African cultures. When slaves came to Latin America they brought instruments such as conga drums, maracas and claves, she said.
Six association members collaborated in a poetry performance addressing popular views of black
females.
Contestants of the Miss Fest Africa pageant debuted Friday evening. Economics sophomore Shongerwi Chekenyere won the contest on Saturday.
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