African Market marks beginning of African Week

Range of events to celebrate African tradition, culture

Beginning today, the African culture at Oberlin will have its chance to shine with African Week, an event jointly planned by the African Students Association (ASA) and the African American Studies department.

As part of African Week, the ASA will be organizing the African Market, which will include a mix of vendors selling African-related material and African food. According to senior Ogbeyalu Onumah, African market coordinator, the event will also be showcasing live entertainment at the 'Sco.

The African market at Oberlin has been a tradition for four years, and proceeds from the Market go to the ASA annual book drive, which pays for the shipment of donated books to schools in Africa. The Market is also celebrating the African woman's place in recognition of the March celebration of women's history month.

The itinerary of the market will begin with a festival on Friday, March 5, starting at 10 a.m. in Wilder main, and closing at 5 p.m.

The Day will conclude at 7 p.m., when speaker Kwesi Yankah, a distinguished Professor from the University of Pennsylvania comes to speak on the "Allegory and Political Dissidence in Africa." The speech will be held in the main Lounge of Afrikan Heritage House, and all interested are invited to attend.

The Market picks up again on Saturday with a talent show, as well as an announcement of the winners of a middle school essay contest. The assignment of the essay was to write the essay based on an African quote, "I am because we are, I exist because the community exists.".

There will also be a photography exhibit of work by a senior here at the College, Heather Haddon, documenting her experiences in Namibia, Africa.

Dubbing this year's event "Amistad in Oberlin," organizers dedicate the affair to Oberlin College graduate Sarah Margu. Margu was the daughter of one of the Amistad captives, and after graduating from Oberlin she returned to her home in Africa to bring what she had learned back to her community. Margu became a teacher, and later on, a Principal.

Also on the menu of events for "Amistad in Oberlin" are live poetry readings and authentic African dance. The Market will conclude with the first official African Night at the 'Sco, where African Music CDs will be given out.

Market day: Last year's market brought handcrafted African art to Oberlin. (photo by Heidi Good)