The University of Rhode Island African Student Organization transformed the Memorial Union Ballroom into a vibrant cultural showcase with its first annual “Mock African Wedding” on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
In collaboration with multicultural campus group Uhuru Sasa, the club invited students of all backgrounds to participate in a full evening of choreographed dance, elaborate traditional wedding attire, dancing and catered African food.
It was the first experience of its kind for many attendees.
“If you haven’t experienced an African wedding, you haven’t lived,” the evening’s master of ceremonies, Chi Boy, said.
The bride and groom, third-year EJ Lopes Gomes and Emmanuel Amanka-Saroo, of Bissau-Guinean and Ghanaian descent, respectively, brought traditions from weddings of their own cultures, according to Boy.
Many students also came in traditional African garments. The ballroom was filled with a wide variety of colorful, patterned fabrics, formal ballgowns and suits.
The bridal party first made their way down the aisle in pairs, with each couple doing a choreographed dance together as they were introduced.
Following the parties, Chi Boy introduced the bride and groom. The bride walked down the aisle covered in a colorful cloth, to then be revealed as students in the wedding party danced around the couple.
A skit portraying an argument between families over the bride’s dowry was performed by the wedding party after they were seated. ASO Public Relations Chair Irfaan Mayaleeke played the grandfather of the bride with sprayed grey hair, pretending to bargain for a higher dowry.
Guests lined up for dinner, catered by Tambo’s Kitchen, a Massachusetts-based African restaurant. Jollof rice, braised chicken, beef and greens were served, alongside soda refreshments and the occasional Malta Goya hiding in the bottom of the coolers.
The party and guests alike took to the dance floor for a lively set of traditional and modern African music, including pop, dancehall and more. Music was provided by Providence-based DJ Fred.
MC Boy could be seen teaching the crowd how to do a two-step dance.
Both clubs’ e-boards said the night exceeded their expectations, according to ASO President Sandra Gbemisola and Uhuru Sasa President Alyssa Correia.
ASO Vice President Mareme Samate emphasized her pride in the accomplishments of Gbemisola in coordinating the event.
“Without her, this show just genuinely would not have happened,” Samate said. “I’m genuinely so proud of her as her best friend and as her vice president.”
Gbemisola said the event turned out to be everything she hoped when she started planning. Originally anticipating around 50 guests, Gbemisola said she was happily surprised that the event was fully sold out.
“Everything plus more, plus 20,000,” Gbemisola said. “I was not expecting this,”
Gbemisola said the club first had the idea to throw a mock wedding during the spring semester. After gathering resources and elaborate planning, the club began coordinating the event over the summer.
All of the garments worn in the wedding party were custom-made in Nigeria. Tailoring adjustments were made by friends of the club, Benison Aguocha and Susannah Lawal, according to Gbemisola.
“[Aguocha] literally did this in a day,” Gbemisola said. “I cannot thank her enough.”
The African Student Organization announced at the wedding that they will bring the event back next year as an annual club tradition.
ASO meets in the Memorial Union Atrium 2 on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. More information about club events can be found on the URI website or the club’s Instagram, @uri_aso.
Uhuru Sasa is a Pan-African multicultural club that aims to uplift the minority community at URI, according to the URInvolved website. The club meets in Memorial Union Room 201 on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and can be found on Instagram at @uhuru_sasa.
