Good Fun and Great Food

Africa Night was held Saturday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. in the Stephens Performing Arts Center at Idaho State University.
The event was hosted by the African Student Association and included dinner immediately followed by a variety of performances including poetry, dance and drama influenced by African culture. Club members could be seen throughout the event donning traditional African clothing.
African Student Association President Frederick Karikari Kuffour estimated that 500 people were in attendance by 7 p.m.
“We are trying to bring Africa closer to the people of Pocatello so they experience Africa and its traditions,” said Kuffour.
Most in attendance said they enjoyed the event, especially the food.
The food at the event was comprised of traditional African dishes made locally by members of the African Student Association.
Sylvia Ofori, a club member and kitchen coordinator for the event, provided an overview of the food featured at Africa Night.
Dishes from West Africa included jollof rice, njemajema (a fried spinach dish) and poff-poff (sweet fried bread) from Cameroon as well as beef-tomato stew and peanut butter soup from Ghana.
A popular dish from East Africa featured at the event was dorowat (fried chicken pie) from Ethiopia. A mixed-fruit dessert made with low-fat yogurt, shredded coconut, mango, apples and other fruits was also served.
According to Ofori, the peanut butter soup was the most popular dish of the evening.
Attendees Megan Miner, Derrick Walker, Zebulan Glenn, Talib Alhashmi, Abbas Alhayik and Abdullah Sebaa said the food was excellent. Many said the food was the main reason they were in attendance.
“They did a really good job promoting this event here at ISU,” said Glenn. “They really got the word out.”
Brandon Bangerter, an attendee who spent two years in South Africa as a missionary, said Africa had taken a special place in his heart due to the humility and love of the people he met there. He said he was drawn to the event after seeing a poster in the Rendezvous and surprised his girlfriend Cherise Larsen with tickets.
“I love the food [here at Africa Night], it reminds me of the food the people in the Xhosa Tribe in South Africa shared with me,” said Bangerter.
Bangerter said he was glad that ISU has an active African club to put on Africa Night. He and Larsen both said they would absolutely come again if the club were to host another.
Performances for the night took place in Jensen Hall and began with a flag ceremony where African countries were represented, followed by Idaho and the United States.
“I want [students] to know that we have [an African] club here and we are trying to bring Africa closer to them,” said Kuffour.