Kent African Student Association’s African Night showcased African culture through music, dance and spoken word.

Students said the highlights of Friday evening’s events included a fashion show, dance groups, food, guest speaker Majier Mamer Deng and a performance by rap artist Blitz the Ambassador.

“It was cool to meet someone who has been through so much and see their perspective of it and what they are doing now,” Taylor Thomas, junior psychology major, said about Deng, a Lost Boys of Sudan survivor.

Dance groups such as African Pride and Barefeet also grabbed the audience’s attention.

“First off, it’s crazy because it’s physically hard to do that stuff,” said Joe Weinzierl, senior accounting major. “You’re used to hanging out with them like normal people and then you see them do something so culturally involved and you’re like ‘OK, I see what you’re all about.’”

The traditional food was also a hit with the audience.

“It’s always interesting to see what kind of food they are going to serve because they don’t serve normal campus food — they serve African food,” said Jenae Green, junior fashion merchandising major.

KASA president Rumbidzai Mupinga expressed her pleasure with the outcome of African Night.

“In one packed program, we all cried, laughed, hugged, danced and sang,” Mupinga said. “We all become exactly what I had hoped for: a family, living and rejoicing with one another.”

Contact Candice Dungan at [email protected].