DJAMILA NOELLE GROSSMAN/Arizona Daily Wildcat Phi Beta Sigma members Gerard Kimbuende, electrical engineering senior, right, and Kyle Harris, dietetics junior, step dance at the fifth annual culture show of the African Students' Association Saturday night.

Students celebrated Africa's culture and diversity in the fifth annual culture show of the African Students' Association Saturday night.

The event, named "Africa in America," featured African music, fashion shows and PowerPoint presentations, and was intended to give non-Africans a more in-depth perspective on the continent.

Amuche Okeke, an electrical engineering junior and president of the association, said many people reduce Africa to its issues with poverty and diseases, but do not see the cultural diversity and richness of the continent.

"People need a more enlightened perspective. The goal of the show is for people to have a learning experience and to give them a taste of Africa," Okeke said.

The show has grown since the association was reinstated at the UA five years ago, Okeke said, with an increase of educational awareness to inform people as best they can.

Kim Taylor, a chemical engineering junior, said she came to the show because she knows one of the performing dancers and she was curious what it would be about.

Although she doesn't know much about African culture, Taylor said she hoped to leave the show a little more educated.

"I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to Africa," Taylor said. "Hopefully this will give me a better view on the culture."

Julian Kunnie, director of African American studies and adviser to the African Students' Association, said people should understand that all culture originates from Africa and they have to learn to appreciate it.

"It's really important for people to be educated about the far-reaching past and culture of Africa, she is the mother of humankind," Kunnie said.

Kunnie said he hopes the opportunity to educate people and open their eyes is successful, because the media's view is very negative and hopeless when it comes to Africa.

"As you can see tonight, there is a vibrant power in the complexity and diversity," Kunnie said. "This is why African students ought to be commended to give us a taste of this splendid continent."

Melame Gange, a reggae artist with the band Mode Afrika, performed at the show and said he liked the event. He said he also had the chance to show his "African brothers and sisters how I appreciate it."

A lot of issues regarding Africa are dealt with on a political basis. But arts are just as important in order to bring Africa closer to people and educate them, Gange said.

"We must go back to our past and fetch what belongs to us," Gange said. "This is a beautiful opportunity to support our culture."

Rajan Bhavnani, a bioengineering junior, said he came to the show to support the association and his friends.

Bhavnani said he doesn't know much about Africa, which is why he thinks it is important to visit and learn about the continent.

"The show is great because I don't really know a lot about Africa," Bhavnani said. "And it's definitely great to learn about other cultures."