Gustavus’s Pan-Afrikan Student Organization, also know as PASO, will be hosting Africa Night 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 10 in Alumni Hall.

This occasion has been an annual and signature event each spring for multiple years and is a time that members of the Gustavus community look forward to each year. This year the event will focus on Western and Eastern African cultures while paying attention to influences within the cultures where roots are present such as the Caribbean.

Africa Night is the final and main event of Africa Week. This is the second year that PASO has put on Africa Week, which began on Monday, March 6, and ends on Friday, March 10 with Africa Night, which will be followed by a Dive dance also hosted by PASO.

Many students who are involved in PASO have worked hard in planning the event including Junior Hanan Mohamud, First-year Faith Emovon David, Senior Erika Rossow, Senior Janet Jennings, Junior Francine Umumararungu, and Sophomore Daniella Habib. These students, in addition to others, have all contributed to preparing for both Africa Week and Africa Night, and are looking forward to an evening full activities and performances relating to and celebrating African cultures.

“Africa Night is a fun packed night,” Mohamud said. “There will be skits, dances from Gusties and a professional team, poetry, food from East and West African regions, and a fashion show showcasing the different garments from the continent of Africa.”

The event observes African cultures and what it means to be from or a part of those cultures. For individuals who are involved in PASO, this night helps them connect back to the roots of African culture and share it with others.

“You can expect a very vibrant atmosphere. That is what Africa is about,” Emovon David said.

For the rest of the Gustavus community, this night allows students the opportunity to learn and explore a culture that is not their own.

“As an organization, we strive to educate ourselves about Africa and the Diaspora. This night is unique because we get to share all of that knowledge with the campus on a larger scale,” Jennings said. “If you attend, I believe you can gain a better understanding of certain aspects of specific African cultures. I think that it gets you interested enough to do your own research. We can’t educate people about all 54 countries and the Diaspora countries in two hours; it’s just a taste.”

For individuals who have taken part in planning this event, the excitement for this night has grown and flourished as the event has gotten closer. Students are excited to share a part of who they are with the rest of Gustavus through Africa Night.

“I am personally excited about Africa Night because it is a chance to share a part of my identity with the community and Gustavus. It is also exciting to see all of our hard work through the event,” Mohamud said.

Umumararungu is also delighted to be a part of Africa Night.

“I am so excited about Africa Night because it’s an event that makes me feel like I am back home and it excites me to be able to share this feeling with my Gustie friends and alumni,” Umumararunga said.

Africa Night is a special event for the community as its purpose is to unite people from all walks of life through the traditions of African culture. On a campus such as Gustavus, an event like Africa Night is especially unique because there is not a great deal of representation of students from African descent.

“I love Africa Night because it celebrates a culture that is not my own and there is no other organization on campus that can give you this kind of experience,” Rossow said.

Not only is Africa Night a fun filled night with multiple performances, displays, and food to enjoy, it also offers those who may not be familiar with African cultures the opportunity to expand their knowledge and appreciation of these cultures.

“Something I also want people to take away from Africa Night is that Africa is a continent full of incredibly different cultures and people, and that is reflected in our organization. Though PASO acts as a united and collective voice, we aren’t all the same and we all have something unique and beautiful to offer, and we can say the same thing about Africa and the whole concept of Pan-Afrikanism,” Habib said.

The event is open to the Gustavus community as well as the general public. Members of the Pan-Afrikan Student Organization encourage everyone and anyone to attend to get a glimpse of the various African cultures displayed right here at Gustavus.