Students got a ‘Taste of Africa’ last Wednesday at an event hosted by the African Student Union (ASU). This was part of a monthly showcase that aims to share the culture and food from different African countries.
This month, they shared food from the West African country Ivory Coast, such as plantains, which are deep-fried, banana-like fruits. They also offered deep-fried fish, and acheke — a very cultural dish in Ivory Coast made from cassava pulp that is similar in texture to couscous: a tiny, chewy grain-like pasta.
The pulp is grated, dried and steamed and creates a distinctive tangy taste. As well as these they had fried chicken topped with onions and sauce that is supposed to be eaten together, alongside Malta Goya, a popular, non-alcoholic malt beverage made from barley, hops and sugar and is known for its sweet, rich and robust flavor
Keyanne Brou, the new president of the ASU, spoke on her first experiences in her new role:
”I’m a second-year, and the person that was there before me — she graduated, and she [was] the one who was doing it all the time, so I’m just continuing the legacy.”
Brou has previously worked in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, worked as an ODI intern and is passionate about fostering supportive and inclusive environments. As the new ASU president, she hopes to further spread and support African students’ culture with events such as the Taste of Africa.
Brou has said, “being part of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion allows me to help create spaces where students feel heard, represented and empowered.”
Plans for next month’s event are still being decided; however, the country of choice is going to be one from North Africa, such as Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia.
Future events will also feature more fun and interactive activities to further show the different cultures.
Brou said, “[A]t the end of the month we’re gonna have a bingo night, but instead of numbers … it’s gonna be questions about Africa. If you have the answer on your board, you just stamp it.”
Brou said the idea of events like these is to have “people knowing more about what we do now,” after taking over as president.
ASU’s mission is to share, uplift and celebrate African culture while creating a space where unity between the community can thrive. Events like ‘Taste of Africa’ are a good example of that.
”The food is nice … It’s fun to hear about stuff I don’t know about, and that other people know a lot about,” one participant said. Another student said: “I’ve never heard of [acheke] before, but it’s actually so good.”
Multiple students said they would “absolutely be attending” ASU’s next Taste of Africa event.
ASU said in an Instagram post after the event, “thank you to everyone who came out to our very first Taste of Africa of the year … we loved getting to share our culture, food and community with you. We can’t wait to see you at our next event!”
