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Stories and legends told by the Griot

Members of the African American Student Alliance perform a dance traditional to West Africa. The performance was part of the "Griot Monologues" sponsored by the Institute for Multicultural Research and Campus Diversity. This dance was one of AASA's projects for Black History Month. In the ensemble, from left to right, are Linda L. Moses, ShaMira DeJurnett, LaReina Whatley and Megan Simmons. / photo by Juan Garcia
Members of the African American Student Alliance perform a dance traditional to West Africa. The performance was part of the “Griot Monologues” sponsored by the Institute for Multicultural Research and Campus Diversity. This dance was one of AASA’s projects for Black History Month. In the ensemble, from left to right, are Linda L. Moses, ShaMira DeJurnett, LaReina Whatley and Megan Simmons. / photo by Juan Garcia

by Gloria Diaz
Staff Writer

With Black History Month ending, the African American Student Alliance presented its own rendition of the Griot Monologues in La Fetra Hall Wednesday.

A Griot is a storyteller, a historian of black culture. Before documented history of African Americans was even recorded, the Griot was the one person who knew the inspirational stories of the ancestors.

This presentation offered information about influential African Americans throughout history. It presented people like the first known gospel singer, a poet and a friend of Harriet Tubman.

The Griot was played by Tamika Harrison, who led the audience in the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as written by James Weldon Johnson. Monologues were performed by Eje Ash, Tanesha Atwell, Adrian Bean, ShaMira DeJurnett, Linda L. Moses, Angela Perry, Siddeqah Shabazz and LaReina Whatley. All of the performances were done with great emotion.

The most touching of all the performances was Siddeqah Shabazz’s portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Shabazz gave an excellent performance as she told the story of a child being struck in the head at a civil rights march in Montgomery, Ala., after someone threw a bottle at the marchers.

“The experience was untouchable. I was able to learn more about my culture and heritage while having fun,” said Tanesha Atwell who was part of the performance. “AASA is a wonderful organization with a positive outlook on life, I’m glad that we were able to share that knowledge with the students that attended.”

The African Ensemble, which consisted of Atwell, ShaMira DeJurnett, Dorothy Eriquez, Angela Perry, and LaReina Whatley, performed a native African dance.

At the end of the performance “Black History Q & A” was held. Prizes were given to audience members who answered the history question correctly. There were questions like: “Who performed the first open heart surgery?” “Who was a famous black comedian on ‘Saturday Night Live’?” and “Who won the first Olympic Gold medal?”

“The performers had a lot of insight as to who they were portraying.

“I liked the whole show,” said freshman Xochitl Garcia who was one of the winners of the “Black History Q & A.” “It was nothing like I thought it was going to be.”

Gloria Diaz, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Gloria Diaz
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