by Allayah Carr
The University of West Georgia’s Center of Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) recently partnered with the Anthropology department as well as the Student Government Association for the Seventh Annual Multicultural Festival. The event took place in UWG’s Campus Center Ballroom, welcoming hundreds of curious students, faculty, and staff members.
Organizers said the goal of the event was to encourage students to interact with each other and familiarize themselves with other cultures.
“I want students to get involved and participate,” said Doris Kieh, program coordinator of CDI. “It’s a great way to learn about different cultures in an intimate setting.”
The festival provided students multiple opportunities to engage in hands-on activities. The line for henna tattoos extended to the hallway outside of the ballroom. The African hair wrapping station gave female students the chance to get a new hairstyle incorporating the African kente cloth.
“I never had henna before or had a chance to get a henna tattoo,” said student De’Rajela Pleasant. “I’m going to ask [the artist] as many questions as I can to find out the history behind it. That’s my purpose of being here, to broaden my knowledge of the background of various cultures.”
The festival also invited performers to showcase their talent and love of their culture to guests who preferred to sit back and take everything in. The Luso Hispanic dance group returned to the festival for the third year in a row to perform their traditional Mexican dance routines. They dressed in traditional Mexican attire from head to toe and did several costume changes for the different dance styles.
“My favorite part was the Hispanic performers because I’m part Hispanic myself,” said student Gabriela Hernandez. “I enjoyed seeing other students engage with my culture.”
There were also performances by the Pansonic Steel Pan Band, who represented the Caribbean culture, and the West Georgia Judo Club, who demonstrated traditional Japanese Judo techniques, as well as many others.
The festival left a lasting impression on the younger generation as well. Students from Central High School with the Carroll County School System took a field trip to participate in the event.
“This was a great experience,” said Hope Williamson, president of the International Club at CHS. “It was a great way to learn about the differences between similar cultures. My favorite exhibit was the anthropology exhibit because it shows how skulls evolved over time.”
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