African Fashions Showcased

Quincy Dining Hall turned into a fashion runway Saturday night, as the Harvard African Students Association (HASA) sponsored its annual African fashion show.

Clad in West African styles, 17 students strutted their stuff against the backdrop of African music supplied by the Gumboots Dance Troupe.

The two-hour event titled “Tanaka,” which means beauty in Shona, marked the conclusion of “Africa Week.”

“I think that this is a very good note to end on,” said Ekua K. Nkyekyer ’07, one of about 75 students who attended the show. “I think it is something that everybody should experience at least once.”

The event was produced and directed by Onyinye D. Offor ’05, the president of HASA. Offor also emceed the show along with Uzodinma C. Iweala ’05.

Iweala kept the show light-hearted by teasing the models as they came down the runway and encouraging audience participation.

“He has really good energy and a knack for making people laugh.” Offor said.

When model Lawrence E. Adjah ’06 came down the runway shirtless, showing his well-defined abdominal muscles to the audience, Iweala quipped, “When you see a guy in an outfit like this, what do you want to do? You want to get his phone number. I will be wearing this outfit after the show.”

One of the highlights of the show, however, came before any models stepped foot on the runway.

Members of Gumboots donned their usual coal miner’s uniforms and knee-high rain boots as they performed South African numbers. The group’s name comes from black miners who communicated by slapping their boots since they were not permitted to speak in the mines.

“I think their performance was extremely energized, and I think I want to join Gumboots next year,” Nkyekyer said.

Following the dance performance, the models began coming down the runway dressed in traditional West African formal wear. The clothes from the first half of the show were borrowed primarily from Africana Arts and Crafts, a store located in Somerville, Mass. Some of the outfits, however, came from the models’ personal closets.

“I really enjoy the traditional clothing and I think it’s a pity that Africans don’t wear these types of clothes more often when they go out to formal events,” said Musha E. Hove ’06, a member of HASA and Gumboots.

Both Offor and Iweala encouraged audience members to consider wearing traditional African garments to their House formals in the Spring.

After a brief intermission, the models switched gears, trading in their formal outfits for more casual attire.

“This next segment is for when you are trying to chillax and kick game,” Iweala said.

The majority of the African casual wear was rented from Gureje, a New York-based clothing designer.

“The designer who did the non-traditional clothing literally created individual pieces of art. It is definitely something that I would go and buy,” said Dina L. Maxwell ’06, who modeled in the show.

Following the fashion show Itumeleng A. Makgetla ’05, the alumni representative for HASA, read several poems written by various South African poets.

“I thought that they express something particular about the South African experience, but also something universal,” Makgetla said.

The show concluded with a spirited performance by the West African Drum Troupe from Mali. The majority of the audience got up on stage and joined in the dancing.

Though the fashion show has been done in years past, this was the first time that it has taken place as part of the larger concept of “Africa Week.”

Most of the organizers of the week’s events said they were happy with the overall effort but that they were disappointed with the low attendance.

“I thought that we could have had better turnout at the events, but I am optimistic. We were able to turn this idea that we had into something tangible, and that in and of itself is a success,” Offor said.

HASA members said that they would continue to raise awareness about Africa at Harvard.

“We hope that this is going to be the beginning of a Harvard tradition because we want people to know more about Africa in a positive way,” said Nomnso N.S. Kalu ’07, a first-year representative for HASA. “I think it is the beginning of a great tradition.”