By Megan Prock
Bouncy music accompanied by swaying hips filled the Curry Student Center West Wing, as the smell of rice and chicken edged out Wendy’s Saturday night during the Luso-World Cultural Night. The International Students Association, Brazilian Student Organization (BSO) and Cape Verdean Student Association (CSVA) sponsored a celebration of the Portuguese speaking world with singing, dancing, skits, and traditional food.
Each year the ISA picks one group to showcase during international week. Saturday’s event was the culmination of a week’s worth of activities, including photo exhibitions and a quiz bowl featuring Brazil and Cape Verde. The show began with the CVSA dance group performing a traditional dance characterized by shaking the hips with a scarf-like piece of fabric called a “bano” tied around the waist. According to Justiniano Rodrigues, president of CVSA, the traditional dance and dress is derived from the rural female workers who tied cloth around their backs for support as they labored in the fields. Celina DeBarros, a freshman criminal justice major who danced to Funana, a traditional Cape Verdean dance, expressed her love for the music and dancing.
“Everything comes out in the dancing.” she said.
Dancing wasn’t the only means of expression, as BSO performed a skit that mocked the stereotypes associated with Brazil. Students portrayed the atypical characterization of Brazil’s beautiful women, womanizing men, and outstanding soccer players.
The dancing and performances were accompanied by an array of traditional Cape Verdean food and Brazilian desserts. Dinner was followed by an art auction to raise money for the International Red Cross.
Krisha Shrestha, a junior international business management major, sold her paintings of her native country, Nepal, in the auction. Shrestha said that she didn’t know much about the Brazilian or Cape Verdean culture prior to the event, and researched the two countries on the Internet to expand her knowledge of the Luso world.
“I didn’t even know where Cape Verde was. It has really opened my eyes, and culturally it has made me more aware,” Shrestha said.
Shrestha wasn’t the only one who received a free culture class. For many who knew little about the Portuguese-speaking world, the night was educational as well as fun.
“Since I am not American born, I am always interested in other countries. I didn’t know a lot about Brazil or Cape Verde, but it has enhanced my knowledge,” said Zhenya Brisker, an international business and marketing major from Russia.
Alejandra Bujones, president of BSO, believes that cultural events and celebrations help diversify the campus as well as provide awareness of other students’ heritage. Bujones hopes that BSO, CVSA and ISA have helped to educate through interaction.
“Tonight there were people here from everywhere: Latin Americans, Africans, Arabs and Germans. This is what it is all about: meeting people from other countries to show different cultures, Bujones said.
“They should do more. It is always a good thing to bring Cape Verdeans, Brazilians and Americans together,” said Fatima Erora, who sang at the event.
CVSA was formed this year with the basic goals of sharing Cape Verdean traditions and customs and allowing students a place to “vent their culture,” according to Rodrigues.
“Tonight gives us hope,” he said.
