Casey Brown
Staff Writer
The Nigerian Independence Day brought the bright colors of Africa to Cameron University’s campus.
The CUNSA held the 53rd Nigerian Independence Day Celebration banquet at 6 p.m. on Oct. 4 in the MCC McCasland Ballroom. The program boasted a myriad of events such as a red carpet and photography session, two fashion shows, two cultural dances, awards, information about Nigeria and a raffle. Goat, a traditional Nigerian dish, was served. One hundred forty students, faculty and community members were in attendance for the night out.
This year was the fourth year for CUNSA to host the celebration. The student organization’s president Dare Ayansola emphasized the importance of the event.
“It is to enlighten and tell people about some of the cultural aspects of Nigeria,” Ayansola said. “Although it isn’t possible to cram the whole Nigerian culture into one 2-3 hour event, we select some that can showcase our culture.”
The focus on culture prompted the organization to display a slideshow with facts about Nigeria, host an art show, present cultural dances and have fashion shows during the celebration.
The fashion shows are a staple in the event’s program. Both shows included men and woman modeling traditional and modern outfits made of ankara, kampala and lace fabrics.
“Even when I first got here [to Lawton], people would ask me: ‘What do you wear?’ ‘What is the Nigerian cloth?” Ayansola said. “Some people have this funny thinking that we probably walk around in leaves or naked.”
The fashion shows are meant to dispel any stereotypes about Nigerian dress and apparel.
“There is a stereotype, so we wanted to focus on ‘yes, we wear clothes,’” Ayansola said. “Apart from jeans and t-shirts, we actually have different kinds of fabrics and designs. The Nigerian fashion industry is a large industry. It is really big in Africa.”
The cultural dances were also a highlight of the event. Three students performed two dances. Bata dance, which was traditionally performed for kings, was the first dance featured. The Hausa tribe’s dance soon began afterwards. According to Ayansola, this tribe makes up approximately 49 percent of Nigeria.
The celebration of Nigerian independence plays a role in fostering a community for the members of CUNSA. Ayansola and his fellow members find the association their home-away-from-home.
“It has meant a lot. This is the closest thing to a family that I have here,” Ayansola said. “I know, obviously, I am from a different place, a different culture, a different way of life. It is a good thing to have people around you who understand a different way of thinking, your culture and share some of your cultural values. They are my family, my brothers. They help me not forget about my native language [Yoruba].”
Ayansola said the event differed from contemporary Nigerian celebrations as many American events appear more rigid.
“Back home, it is like our programs are not so strict. When you go to a party in Africa, you will never find one like that,” Ayansola said. “If it isn’t a formal event, we just want to have fun. Sometimes you just want to roll with the flow.”
This event has become a CU tradition.
“As long as we have Nigerians on campus, we will have an event,” he said.
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