As a child, you probably never thought that the common playground games Miss Mary Mack and hopscotch were rooted in African-American tradition.
But Saturday, at the 15th Annual Celebration of African Cultures held at the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, dancers, artists, storytellers and musicians gathered to offer visitors a unique and traditional taste of African and African-American life.
Demonstrations held throughout the day included a dance and drumming workshop presented by Kulu Mele African-American Dance Ensemble and a performance by the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble. The different programs sought to entertain and educate the crowd.
Local resident Roberta McMillan and her daughter, who have both been coming to the event for close to eight years, said that every time they come, it is a little different yet always enjoyable.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was a games workshop entitled "The Games We Play: Stories, Rhythms and Rhymes in the Oral Tradition," hosted by professional storyteller and teaching artist Queen Nur, who travels all over the country to promote this history of African-American games.
Nur invited the audience to actively participate in African games and songs while at the same time explaining the cultural and historical importance of the activities.
Nur explained that in the absence of traditional instruments, African Americans used their bodies to imitate the sounds and rhythms of drums.
"In the African tradition, we live a life that is more circular" than other cultures, Nur said. Whereas most children today find entertainment in video games or television, Nur emphasized that such games do little to build a community -- the "games we play dictate and show" the unity of African culture and the need to stay close as a community.
In addition to the games workshop, guests were given tours of the African gallery in the museum, which houses important African artifacts, including ceremonial masks, sculptures and clothing.
Attendees were invited to play the traditional African instruments on exhibit, some of which were used at one time by griots, or African historians.
Griots were usually head clan members who were responsible for preserving the history of their people and singing the praises of the king.
Visitors were treated to authentic African cuisine, ranging from mango bread pudding and chicken and lentil stew to African peanut chicken soup.
Attendees were also able to purchase African textiles and artifacts at a mini-African marketplace that was set up in the museum.
Lillian Messick, assistant director of development and annual giving at the museum, said that what makes the event special is that it brings in "not just students," but also "reaches out to the local community and a broader audience."
Indeed, more than 100 people from all over Philadelphia attended the event -- especially families.
"I wanted to expose my children" to the African culture, said greater Philadelphia resident Suzanne Weintraub, who brought her two young children to the event.
