African celebration draws over 1,000

While many students slept in on Saturday morning, members of the Philadelphia community invaded campus to learn about African instruments and play an African game called Mancala. Over 1,000 people attended the 12th Annual Celebration of African Cultures at the University Museum. The celebration featured workshops ranging from storytelling to dance. A highlight of the day was the Women's Sekere ensemble, a group of three women from Philadelphia who have been performing for 11 years at schools, museums and church events. The ensemble sang African songs, while playing authentic African percussion instruments. Between songs, the women taught audience members about the origins of their instruments and how they were made. "We're preserving the African culture," said Marcy Francis, a member of the ensemble. During their two half-hour presentations, the women had many adults and children up on their feet and dancing to their lively songs. Children flocked to the "Zoo On Wheels," stationed in the main lobby of the museum. Representatives from the Philadelphia Zoo presented birds, a monitor lizard and even a giant cockroach -- as well as skins of several animals. "I think it was well done... a good mixture of events and activities... great for the kids," said Debra Koita, who works for Career Services at Penn. The all-day activities in the Chinese Rotunda included Mancala demonstrations and competitions, along with a display of African masks, photography and tribal art. The Nigerian mask-making table was another crowd favorite -- especially for kids like three-year-old James Walker-Goutal. "It's great for kids, great for everybody," said James' father, Brett Walker, of the festivities. According to participants, the biggest difference between this year's celebration and last year's was the increase in advertising. An e-mail was sent to all students and faculty members prior to the event, and members of the community were informed of the event through an ad in the Philadelphia Daily News. Event organizers said there were more attendants this year than in years past. Some visitors even said parts of the celebration were a little too heavily attended. "It's almost too bad there are so many people here," said Stacey Niambele, who attended the celebration with her five-year- old son Zakari. "It's hard to get a seat."