Your future, our focus
P O W E L L, W y o. - Three Northwest College students from the west African country of Senegal travel to Cody Thursday, April 19, to relive a day in their homeland in "Senegal: Rhythms of Africa," a treat for the senses starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Park County Complex Cafeteria.
Senegalese students El Hadji Fall, Cheikh Fame and Mamadou Diop will treat their audience to the sights, sounds and smells of their youth. Their program includes a script they've written and will act out, lots of photographs, music, poetry and even a food-tasting opportunity.
"The Senegalese people are recognized the world over as very warm, friendly, happy and even 'joyous' people," Harriet Wilson-Bloom NWC's international student recruiter and adviser, said. "They're very expressive people, and our three students certainly live up to the reputation of their countrymen. I guarantee people who come to this event will be in for a lively evening."
The three actively participate in many of the opportunities available on a residential campus like Northwest. Fall is vice president of the Student Senate and a resident assistant in his hall. Fame works in the dining hall and Diop manages the basketball team. They are recognized across campus by students and faculty alike for their easy smiles and French accents.
These Senegalese tour guides will take their audience to market day in their country, show how meals are prepared and talk about day-to-day life at home. They'll share the entertainment that was popular when they left and discuss the many ways the Islamic religion permeates daily life.
Their skit includes dialogue spoken in English, French (the language taught in Senegalese schools) and Wolof (the language of the country's largest ethnic group). Bloom-Wilson said their Senegalese music might be more familiar than expected, since it's very popular throughout the world right now.
"These students will graduate in May," Bloom-Wilson said, "so this is the last chance for the community to enjoy these delightful young men in a program that they're very proud to present."
Admission to "Senegal: Rhythms of Africa" is free. Sponsored in part by the NWC French Club, it is the first of two international student programs that will be presented this month in Cody. A student from Mauritania will talk about his homeland Thursday, April 26, in the same location. These are the final programs in the Northwest College 2006-07 Multicultural Series.