The African American Student Alliance welcomed students to its Back To Our Roots event, where participants learned traditional African dances.
On Wednesday, Aug. 24 more than a dozen students participated in the lessons, and onlookers watched from the balconies of the Austin Residence Complex Amphitheatre.
Student Nena Okpala just transferred to Kennesaw State University last year, but she has already found her home in the AASA. Okpala was the dance instructor at the event.
“The dancing for this music is like your waist is in constant motion versus other African music where there is variation,” she said.
During the lessons, the students danced to French-African music, which differs from other African music in terms of tone and instrumentation.
“This music is typically referred to as modern or Coupé-Décalé. It has a lot sporadic beats and requires a lot of waist movement and a lot of jumping,” Okpala explained.
The event was interrupted by a fire drill in the Austin Residence Complex, but the dance lessons quickly resumed.
AASA has plans to hold another dance event later in the year.
AASA is active on social media and can be followed @ksuaasa on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
