The Native African Student Organization (NASO) formed an unforgettable night in honor of their 21st annual Sankofa celebration at Montclair State University on Nov. 5, the theme being “A Traditional Wedding.”
The current executive board of NASO played bridesmaids with their dates as a means to mirror a traditional African wedding. Sankofa is a significant symbol of a principle derived from the Akan people of Ghana, which means to learn one’s roots and heritage in order to progress in the future and know your present self.
The crowd watches the show.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
Tommy Robert, the host of the event, is carried down the aisle at the beginning of the show.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
The sold out event began with the hosts, Na’Dree Stewart, a senior anthropology major and the president of Daughta Speaks, alongside Tommy Robert, also known as Tommiana, a junior fashion studies major, vice president of the Black Student Union and currently Mr. NASO, being carried down the aisle. The groom, Francis Oppong, the president of NASO and a senior business administration major was introduced by the hosts and walked down the aisle with the groomsmen, which led to Oppong dancing in the center of them.
Tommy Robert dances in front of the crowd.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
Oppong explained Africa is more than just what others might perceive and hopes that this event enlightened people on the beauty of Sankofa and Africa.
“Africa is always seen as the bottom of the chain,” Oppong said. “But I hope people see, from our food to our music, our custom made attire, the movement of how we dance, that what we do is beautiful and important. We are more than what people say. Everything that our culture brings is different – in a good way.”
He continued to explain his purpose in further connecting Montclair State to African culture.
A bridesmaid and groomsman dance down the aisle in University Hall to Afrobeats.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
“I really hope Montclair [State] sees this and sees what our organization is about,” Oppong said. “Not just African culture but other cultures as well. To me, we are all one. We want to help push Montclair State further so people can recognize the diverse cultures at Montclair State.”
A bridesmaid and groomsman walk down the aisle to the stage with the other groomsmen and bridesmaids.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
Fake $100 bills were thrown at the bridesmaids, bride and groom, also known as “money spraying,” which derived from the Yoruba people in Southwest Nigeria, symbolizing good fortune, happiness and a demonstration of people’s affection.
A bridesmaid walks down the aisle with her date, a groomsman.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
The hosts introduced each member of the executive board as they danced down the aisle as bridesmaids with their dates, all while the crowd cheered them on.
Before the bride made their entrance, sophomore public health major Jasmin Owusu-Ansah, a dancer of NASO’s dance troupe, then performed an Adowa dance, a notable traditional dance that allows a dancer to express their emotions through their hands and feet.
Sophomore public health major Jasmin Owusu-Ansah, a dancer of NASO’s dance troupe, performs an Adowa dance.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
Bridesmaids walk down the aisle in front of the bride as people stand and record.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
The crowd then stood up as the bridesmaids led the bride, Mary Olatunji, a first-year public health graduate student and former member of NASO’s executive board, covered in a purple veil and a custom-made dress, down the aisle to be revealed as the groom uncovered her from her veil and they danced together.
Mary Olatunji hides in the middle of the bridesmaids as they walk down the aisle.
Karsten Englander | The Montclarion
The bride, Mary Olatunji, is revealed by the groom Francis Oppong, as the crowd cheers.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
Mary Olatunji dances on stage as she is revealed as the bride.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
The founder of NASO, Kwaku Amo, then shared a few words about how grateful he is for how NASO expanded into something great and encouraged them to keep spreading the significance of African culture.
Kwaku Amo, the founder of NASO, shares a few words on how grateful he is that the organization he created is still alive today and better than what he could've imagined.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
“Wow,” Amo said. “21 years ago I started NASO, the Native African Student Organization, and I never knew it was [going to] be like this. Tonight, if you came to learn about African culture, you did. This is African culture. In everything you want to do, once you put your mind to it, you can do it. Tonight, you did bring it up. And I’m so proud of you.”
One of the emerging African artists performs in front of the guests.
Karsten Englader | The Montclarion
Afterward, emerging African artists performed their current and upcoming singles.
Mary Olatunji and Francis Oppong have their first dance.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
Center stage, the bride and groom then shared their first dance together, followed by dance performances from NASO’s dance troupe.
Mary Olatunji and Francis Opong have their first dance.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
The NASO dance troupe performs one of their numbers to the crowd.
Karsten Englander | The Montclarion
Dancers of NASO's dance troupe perform.
Lynise Olivacce | The Montclarion
The night came to a close with an afterparty and people eating food from different African cultures.
People dance during the afterparty.
Karsten Englander | The Montclarion
Stewart, not being from Africa himself, still felt he has been greatly impacted throughout the night. The host explained that the crowd’s energy was contagious and loved that he was able to keep the energy while being informed of African culture in an intriguing way.
“I feel like this event turned out so well, and everybody was so affectionate and amusing,” Stewart said. “I feel like everybody needs to learn, appreciate and respect Africa. I feel like others were able to embrace their African culture, and this event was great at giving people a safe space to have a good time.”
People eat food from different African cultures.
Karsten Englander | The Montclarion
Mary Olatunji poses for a picture.
Karsten Englander | The Montclarion
Tommiana was happy to see people of different backgrounds come together to honor and assimilate the nuance of African culture.
“Being African is very important to me, and I’m sure it’s important to my peers as well,” Tommiana said. “Seeing all of our peers, even those who aren’t African, all come together to celebrate our traditions makes me really happy. I hope people’s perspective of Africa is broadened because we’re one, we’re a unit and we stand strong together. Even if you’re not African, we all need to work together to create peace and harmony.”
People dance around Tommy Robert during the afterparty.
Karsten Englander | The Montclarion
Sankofa was fulfilled that night and captivated African heritage to keep its significance alive, for future members of NASO and upcoming generations to learn and look back on.
NASO holds their meetings every other Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and encourages all to attend.
