The Native African Students Organization (NASO) has created an unforgettable evening with the theme of ‘traditional weddings’ to commemorate the 21st Annual Sankofa Celebration at Montclair State University on November 5th .
NASO’s current board has played out bridesmaids dates as a way to mirror traditional African weddings. Sankofa is an important symbol of principles that originate from the Akan people of Ghana. This means learning about your roots and heritage so you can progress in the future and know who you are today.
Crowds watch the show.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
Event host Tommy Robert is carried down the aisle at the beginning of the show.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
The sold-out event was hosted by Nadley Stewart (Senior Anthropology Major and Head of Dota Speaks) and Tommy Robert (also known as Tommiana), Junior Fashion Studies Major, Black Students Union Vice President of NASO, now Mr. . NASO carried down the aisle. The groom, NASO president Francis Oppon, a senior business major, was introduced by the organizers and walked down the aisle with the groomsmen, Oppon dancing in the center of them.
Tommy Robert dancing in front of an audience.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
Oppon explained that Africa is more than what others perceive and hopes the event will enlighten people to Sankofa and the beauty of Africa.
“Africa is always seen as the bottom of the chain,” Oppon said. “But we want people to see that what we do is beautiful and important, from our food to our music to our bespoke clothing to our dance moves. is more than people say: everything our culture brings is different in a good way.”
He went on to explain his aim to further connect Montclair with African culture.
Bridesmaids and groomsmen dance down the aisles of college halls to the afro beat.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
“I really want Montclair [State] You can see what our organization is by looking at this,” Oppon said. “Not just African cultures, but other cultures as well. To me, we are all one. I have.”
Bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle to the stage with other groomsmen and bridesmaids.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
Fake $100 bills from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria were thrown at bridesmaids and brides and grooms. Also known as “money spray,” it symbolizes good luck, happiness, and the affection of people.
A bridesmaid walks down the aisle with her date’s groomsman.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
The organizers introduced each member of the executive committee as they danced down the aisle as bridesmaids while the crowd cheered them on.
Before the bride entered, NASO dance troupe dancer Jasmin Owusu-Ansah, a second-year public health major, performed an adwa dance.
NASO dance troupe dancer Jasmin Owusu-Ansah, a sophomore public health major, performs the Adowa dance.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
Bridesmaids walk down the aisle in front of the bride while people stand and record.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
The crowd rose as bridesmaids ushered Mary Oratunzi, a former member of NASO’s executive committee and a first-year student at the Graduate School of Public Health, into the aisle, clad in a purple veil and custom-made dress. The groom revealed her from her veil and they danced together.
Mary Oratunji is hidden in the middle of the bridesmaids walking down the aisle.
Kirsten Englander | Monclarion
Bride Mary Oratunji is revealed by groom Francis Oppon as the crowd cheers.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
Mary Oratunzi, dancing on stage, reveals that she is the bride.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
Kwaku Amo, founder of NASO, shared some words of gratitude for NASO’s remarkable development and encouragement to continue spreading the importance of African culture.
NASO founder Kwaku Amo shares a few words about how grateful the organization he created is still alive today and better than he ever imagined.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
“Wow,” Amo said. “Twenty-one years ago, I started NASO, an indigenous African student organization, and it was [going to] Do it like this. If you came to learn about African culture tonight, you did. This is African culture. Anything you want to do can be done if you put your mind to it. You brought it up tonight. And I am so proud of you. ”
One of the up-and-coming African artists will perform for guests.
Kirsten Englaider | Monclarion
Emerging African artists then performed current and upcoming singles.
Mary Oratunji and Francis Oppon dance for the first time.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
On center stage, the bride and groom shared their first dance together, followed by a dance performance by a NASO dance group.
Mary Oratunzi and Francis Oppont dance for the first time.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
A NASO dance group performs one of their numbers in front of the crowd.
Kirsten Englander | Monclarion
Dancers from the NASO Dance Company will perform.
Linis Olivache | Monclarion
The evening was capped off with an after party where people ate dishes from different African cultures.
People dancing at the after party.
Kirsten Englander | Monclarion
Stewart himself isn’t from Africa, but he felt greatly affected by the whole night. The host explained that the energy of the crowd was contagious and he loved being able to keep his energy up while being informed about African culture in an engaging way.
“I think the event went very well. Everyone was so loving and funny,” Stewart said. “I feel that everyone needs to learn, appreciate and respect Africa. It was perfect for providing a safe place.
People eat food from different African cultures.
Kirsten Englander | Monclarion
Mary Oratunzi taking a photo.
Kirsten Englander | Monclarion
Tomiana was happy to see people from different backgrounds come together to respect and absorb the nuances of African culture.
“Being African is very important to me and I’m sure it’s important to my peers,” Tomiana said. , it makes me so happy to see people coming together to celebrate our heritage, and I hope that people’s perceptions of Africa will broaden, because we are one, united and strong. Even if you are not African, you need to work together to create peace and harmony.”
During the afterparty, people dance around Tommy Robert.
Kirsten Englander | Monclarion
Sankofa was fulfilled that night, captivating Africa’s heritage to maintain its importance for future NASO members and future generations to learn and reflect on.
NASO holds meetings every other Wednesday at 4:30 pm and encourages everyone to participate.
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