NASO Brings Again Roots to Honor Sankofa and African Tradition

The Native African Scholar Group (NASO) fashioned an unforgettable evening in honor of their twenty first annual Sankofa celebration at Montclair State College on Nov. 5, the theme being “A Conventional Marriage ceremony.”

The present govt board of NASO performed bridesmaids with their dates as a method to reflect a standard African marriage ceremony. Sankofa is a major image of a precept derived from the Akan folks of Ghana, which suggests to be taught one’s roots and heritage so as to progress sooner or later and know your current self.

The offered out occasion started with the hosts, Na’Dree Stewart, a senior anthropology main and the president of Daughta Speaks, alongside Tommy Robert, also called Tommiana, a junior style research main, vp of the Black Scholar Union and at present Mr. NASO, being carried down the aisle. The groom, Francis Oppong, the president of NASO and a senior enterprise administration main was launched by the hosts and walked down the aisle with the groomsmen, which led to Oppong dancing within the middle of them.

Oppong defined Africa is extra than simply what others would possibly understand and hopes that this occasion enlightened folks on the fantastic thing about Sankofa and Africa.

“Africa is at all times seen as the underside of the chain,” Oppong mentioned. “However I hope folks see, from our meals to our music, our {custom} made apparel, the motion of how we dance, that what we do is gorgeous and necessary. We’re greater than what folks say. The whole lot that our tradition brings is completely different – in a great way.”

He continued to elucidate his function in additional connecting Montclair State to African tradition.

“I actually hope Montclair [State] sees this and sees what our group is about,” Oppong mentioned. “Not simply African tradition however different cultures as nicely. To me, we’re all one. We need to assist push Montclair State additional so folks can acknowledge the varied cultures at Montclair State.”

Faux $100 payments had been thrown on the bridesmaids, bride and groom, also called “cash spraying,” which derived from the Yoruba folks in Southwest Nigeria, symbolizing luck, happiness and an illustration of individuals’s affection.

The hosts launched every member of the chief board as they danced down the aisle as bridesmaids with their dates, all whereas the group cheered them on.

Earlier than the bride made their entrance, sophomore public well being main Jasmin Owusu-Ansah, a dancer of NASO’s dance troupe, then carried out an Adowa dance, a notable conventional dance that permits a dancer to precise their feelings by way of their arms and ft.

The group then stood up because the bridesmaids led the bride, Mary Olatunji, a first-year public well being graduate scholar and former member of NASO’s govt board, lined in a purple veil and a custom-made costume, down the aisle to be revealed because the groom uncovered her from her veil and so they danced collectively.

The founding father of NASO, Kwaku Amo, then shared a couple of phrases about how grateful he’s for the way NASO expanded into one thing nice and inspired them to maintain spreading the importance of African tradition.

“Wow,” Amo mentioned. “21 years in the past I began NASO, the Native African Scholar Group, and I by no means knew it was [going to] be like this. Tonight, when you got here to study African tradition, you probably did. That is African tradition. In the whole lot you need to do, as soon as you set your thoughts to it, you are able to do it. Tonight, you probably did carry it up. And I’m so pleased with you.”

Afterward, rising African artists carried out their present and upcoming singles.

Middle stage, the bride and groom then shared their first dance collectively, adopted by dance performances from NASO’s dance troupe.

The evening got here to an in depth with an afterparty and folks consuming meals from completely different African cultures.

Stewart, not being from Africa himself, nonetheless felt he has been tremendously impacted all through the evening. The host defined that the group’s vitality was contagious and beloved that he was in a position to preserve the vitality whereas being knowledgeable of African tradition in an intriguing method.

“I really feel like this occasion turned out so nicely, and everyone was so affectionate and amusing,” Stewart mentioned. “I really feel like everyone must be taught, respect and respect Africa. I really feel like others had been in a position to embrace their African tradition, and this occasion was nice at giving folks a secure house to have a superb time.”

Tommiana was glad to see folks of various backgrounds come collectively to honor and assimilate the nuance of African tradition.

“Being African is essential to me, and I’m certain it’s necessary to my friends as nicely,” Tommiana mentioned. “Seeing all of our friends, even those that aren’t African, all come collectively to have a good time our traditions makes me actually glad. I hope folks’s perspective of Africa is broadened as a result of we’re one, we’re a unit and we stand robust collectively. Even when you’re not African, all of us must work collectively to create peace and concord.”

Sankofa was fulfilled that evening and captivated African heritage to maintain its significance alive, for future members of NASO and upcoming generations to be taught and look again on.

NASO holds their conferences each different Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and encourages all to attend.