The Africa week emphasizes the connection of the students to the continent

At the end of April, Dartmouth African Students Association organized its annual “Africa Week” to celebrate the variety and culture of the continent. The events included an opening ceremony with student presentations, a night karaoke and spoken word and a gala.

This year's events, which DASA organized together with the House Communities and the special program and event committee, revolved around the topic “Wé ìfé: a love letter to our continent”.

Dasa Social Media and Marketing Chair Ivie Aiwuyo '26 described Africa Week as time for the participants to celebrate their culture and “feel a feeling of familiarity”. Aiwuyo, who born in the United States and grew up in a Nigerian community in Chicago, said it was reassuring to be with the Nigerian people.

“Especially for those who are not at home for the first time, it's just nice to have a feeling of familiarity and connection,” said Aiwuyo.

The Dasa member Jesferanmi Ayanlade '27, who comes from Ghana, said everyone was welcome to take part in Africa week's events, regardless of national origin.

“Anyone who has a kind of connection to the continent is more than welcome,” said Ayanlade. “Africa as an idea transmits demographic people who usually associate them with them. It goes beyond racial or financial borders.”

Aiwuyo added that most of the food served during the events were cooked and brought by student members of DASA, but other dishes were delivered by tambos kitchen, a West African restaurant south of Boston.

Essen in particular, said Aiwuyo, is a way to “get in touch with our culture, especially in a predominantly white space”. During participating in a barbecue on the lawn of the Shabazz Hall, Aiwuyo said that her favorite matter in Africa Week “creates a home in the distance”.

“I get so much fun to plan it, to be part of it and just to come together,” said Aiwuyo. “I always laugh at an event that I go and eat well. It is definitely a very worthwhile experience.”

For many, Africa week is a certain time to think about what it means to be connected to the continent. This often happens through service and education, according to the DASA operations manager Ganza Belise Aloysie Isingizwe '26.

For this year's Africa week, students collected donations for Saakpuli, a village in Ghana. During her trip to the region with a foreign study program, a group of DASA members promised to stay connected to the village when they returned to Dartmouth.

“Our professor has contributed to coordinating community service. When we visit these communities, we will come back with things that you can give them,” said Aiwuyo. “We offer you clothing and menstrual products, things that the community really needs.”

Aiwuyo said the Africa week was a room for people to think about what it means to be an Dartmouth student of African ancestors.

“I am thinking of double privilege to be in Dartmouth, but also to be Africans,” said Aiwuyo.