Culture Connect

Culture Connect is a bi-weekly socio-cultural exchange event that provides students with a platform to exhibit their cultural artifacts, attire, cuisine, and more. This event serves as an enriching experience that fosters cross-cultural understanding and appreciation among the campus community. The Culture Connect event is designed to celebrate the diverse heritage and backgrounds of the Black diaspora -- creating an atmosphere of unity in diversity. Through this event, students have the opportunity to share elements of their cultural identity, fostering an environment that embraces and respects the multifaceted nature of the campus community.


YORUBA CULTURE

The Yoruba Culture from Southwestern Nigeria was showcased, highlighting various aspects of the Yoruba people. Central to this culture is the Yoruba language, spoken by the Yoruba people. The custodian of Yoruba culture and the esteemed monarchy is the Ooni of Ife, presently held by Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

The image depicts three men in a room decorated with various cultural artifacts, likely celebrating a cultural event. Two men are standing in the foreground, dressed in traditional attire. The man on the left is wearing a light blue traditional outfit with a matching cap and sunglasses. He is holding a smartphone and has a bag slung over his shoulder. The man on the right is dressed in a green and black patterned traditional suit with a matching cap. Both men are smiling. In the background, to the right, there is another man in brown traditional attire standing near a table. The room's walls are decorated with numerous photos and posters, one of which says "Diversity". A white microwave is visible on a black stand holding various items like water bottles and snacks. The room has a neutral carpeted floor and white walls.

At the culture showcase, attendees enjoyed traditional finger foods such as moin-moin, made from beans, and puff puff, made from flour. Additionally, the event featured a display of traditional attire, including the Buba, Sokoto, and Fila (cap). It was explained that the way a fila is worn carries significance: worn to the right signifies singleness, to the left indicates marriage, worn upwards denotes pride, and tilted to the front symbolizes a promising future.
 
Furthermore, participants had the opportunity to learn basic greetings in the Yoruba language, as well as about Yoruba marriage rites and the traditional child naming ceremony. A special highlight of the event was the recitation of the Panegyric of Twins by Kehinde Obikunle, who is a twin himself.

ASHANTI CULTURE


The image shows a group of nine people, both sitting and standing, inside what appears to be a room with a couch and chairs. The group is diverse, with individuals of different genders, ages, and backgrounds. Foreground: Four people are seated on or near a dark leather couch. A woman on the left wears a black blouse with lace details and a red patterned skirt. She is smiling at the camera. Next to her is a young man with curly hair and glasses, wearing a blue shirt. In front of him is a woman in a yellow T-shirt with a graphic design, displaying a peace sign and smiling with her eyes closed. To her right, another woman with long braided hair, dressed in a vibrant multicolored off-shoulder dress, is joyfully looking up and smiling. Background: Five people are standing. On the far left, a man in a black T-shirt with a tropical design is looking to his left. Next to him is another man in glasses, wearing a white shirt and a dark blue jacket, looking into the room. Further back is a man with a dark blue buttoned shirt, standing near the doorframe and looking ahead. To the center-right, a man in a bright patterned shirt is slightly leaning forward and smiling at the camera. Next to him, on the far right, is another man wearing a similarly vivid patterned shirt, holding a booklet in his hand and looking ahead with a neutral expression. Setting: The room has neutral-colored walls with wooden trim along the bottom. There are some red plastic chairs scattered around and what appears to be a poster partially visible on the wall behind the group.

The Ashanti culture belongs to the Ashanti people, who are part of the Akan ethnic group in Ghana. Their primary language is Twi, and one of the most prominent aspects of their culture is the traditional cloth known as Kente, which is both a major ethnic dress and an export item with diverse designs symbolizing different meanings. As part of the culture showcase, attendees enjoyed Kelewele, deep-fried plantain served with sauce.
 
During significant occasions like weddings or cultural events, the Ashanti people perform the Adowa dance, characterized by rhythmic stepping. Currently, the Ashanti are under the leadership of King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Notable individuals from Ashanti culture include former General Secretary of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, and musician Michael Owusu Addo, known as Sarkodie.

IGBO CULTURE


The Igbo people are situated in the Southeastern part of Nigeria and speak the Igbo language. Their distinctive mode of greeting involves the clashing of the back sides of their right hands three times, accompanied by saying "Igbo-kwenu," with a simultaneous response of "ise" at each clash of the hands. The Igbo people have a notable attire known as 'Isiagu' (Tiger’s or Lion’s head), also referred to as Chieftaincy attire, which holds significant prestige, symbolizing power, authority, and pride.

Additionally, many Igbo soups are named after the leaves used in their preparation, such as bitter leaf soup (ofe Onugbu) and White soup (ofe Nsala). Furthermore, the Igbo culture boasts a distinct musical instrument called the oja (flute).


The image shows a woman standing in front of a presentation screen, pointing at a map displayed on it. The presentation screen displays a map titled "Geographic Location of Igbos in Southeastern Nigeria." The map shows various regions and states in southeastern Nigeria, labeled with names such as Anambra, Enugu, Imo, etc. In the top right corner of the map, there is a compass indicating north. The woman is gesturing towards the screen with both hands, standing to the left of the screen. She has long black hair and is wearing a patterned headband and a black and white striped sweater. In the foreground on a table, there is a laptop showing a smaller version of the map on its screen. To the left of the table, there is a bottle of hand sanitizer, and to the right, there is a blurred small white card. On the wall behind the woman, there is a black and white photograph.

BELIZE CULTURE


Dr Monique holding the Belize Flag. The image features a woman standing in a room holding the flag of Belize. The flag is predominantly blue with a red stripe across the top and bottom edges. In the center of the flag is the Belize coat of arms, which includes two human figures holding tools, a shield, and an elaborate border made up of green leaves. The woman is smiling and wearing glasses, a pink cardigan, and a patterned shirt. To her left, there is a large flat-screen television displaying a slide that reads, "Thank you!" at the top, and below it says, "YOU BETTER BELIZE IT" with an image of the Belize flag. In front of the TV, there is a small table with an open laptop that has the same slide displayed on its screen. Various cables are draped around the table. On the right side of the image, attached to the wall, is a poster of a baseball team. Below the poster, there is a green, leafy potted plant.


The Belize Culture Connect initiative was a collaborative effort between Black Programs and NMSU Professor with Belizean roots, Dr. Monique Matute Chavarria, Assistant Professor of Special Education in the College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation. Belize, located in Central America and bordered by Mexico and Guatemala, boasts stunning beaches despite not being an island. Its mainland spans 180 miles in length and 68 miles in width, with a diverse population of approximately 441,471 people.

The cultural makeup of Belize reflects its colonial history under British and Spanish rule, as well as the legacy of slavery. This influence is evident in various aspects of Belizean life, including physical appearance, attire, music, dance, and daily customs. The country's linguistic diversity is notable, with English, Spanish, Mayan languages, Garifuna, and German dialects commonly spoken.

Belize is also renowned for its rich archaeological heritage, with over 600 ancient Mayan sites scattered throughout the region. These cultural elements contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Belizean society and attract visitors from around the world eager to explore its history and traditions.


Maya Ruins in Belize, The image shows a wide, ancient stone staircase constructed from large stone blocks that appear aged and weathered. The staircase is part of a monumental structure that ascends steeply. Small patches of greenery sporadically grow between some of the steps, indicating the age and natural wear of the staircase. The scene depicts several people, some in pairs or small groups, scattered at different levels of the stairway. In the middle section of the staircase, one person with a child stands closer to the camera. In the upper section, a group of three adults and a child, as well as some individuals ascending or descending the stairs, can be seen.

 


Multiracial people of Belize. The image shows a group of five young women standing outdoors in a grassy area with trees and a building in the background. They are standing closely together and smiling at the camera. The women are dressed in colorful clothing, with the first from the left wearing a white dress with pink details, the second wearing a light green dress with short sleeves, the third wearing a white blouse paired with a bright yellow and orange floral skirt and a matching headwrap, the fourth wearing a white dress with blue details, and the fifth wearing a white dress with pink details. The clothing appears to have traditional or cultural designs. Behind them, additional people can be seen standing and sitting in the background, partially out of focus.