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Jabali celebrates past, present black culture
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Dr. Victor Wan-Tatah, director of Africana Studies at YSU, explained that Jabali means "the rock" in Swahili to a group of more than 100 that gathered Friday night for the celebration filled with music, dance, food and recognition o the accomplishments of individuals of African descent.
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The Kent State University African Ensemble kicks off the ninth Jabali celebration at Youngstown State University. The group's traditional African performance with various pieces of percussion set the tone for a night of inspiration and reflection.
YOUNGSTOWN — Heads bobbed and feet tapped to the sound of a solo drummer for an upbeat start to what Dr. Victor Wan-Tatah called “an evening of empowerment, excitement and joy.”
The ninth Jabali celebration at Youngstown State University was a mixture of music, dance, food, spirituality and reflection on the past and the present.
Jabali means “the rock,” said Wan-Tatah, director of Africana studies at YSU.
“[The celebration] exposes the great achievements of black people not only in the past, but in the present,” he said in his opening remarks Friday night.
The most recent note of success highlighted during Jabali was that of President-elect Barack Obama.
Not only was the evening about recognizing African culture and history, but it was a time to bring attention to the forward movement in the United States through the election of Obama, Wan-Tatah said.
“We give thanks for what [Obama’s] taught us and what he still has to offer,” he said.
For the complete story, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com