HOUGHTON – The foods and performance styles of numerous African cultures were shared at Saturday’s African Night at Michigan Technological University.

“We want you to learn about Africa, we want you to catch the spirit of Africa,” said Kedmon Hungwe, advisor to the African Students Organization, which put on the event.

Students began cooking food on Thursday for the Saturday dinner. In keeping with traditions of hospitality, people were encouraged to come back for seconds and even thirds. That could be a tall order, considering the abundance of the first helping, which included vegetable stew, gizzard, samosa (pastry filled with potatoes, peas, carrots and spices), washed down with a mango/avocado spris, a hibiscus, ginger and pineapple drink.

Saturday’s headliners were Bichinis Bia Congo, an Ann Arbor-based Congolese dance troupe led by Jean-Claude Biza. A native of the Congo, Biza choreographs the dances by drawing upon everyday life.

Madafo, a storyteller and musician from North Carolina, works in the tradition of the griot, who helps pass down stories through the generations. He didn’t settle for a passive audience, leading them in singing along to a Langston Hughes poem.

There was also a fashion show of designs from Nigerian designer Star Kisskemi, who now runs her own fashion company, House of Zuri, in downstate Michigan.

As recently as the night before, much of the show was still in the air, said organizer Efe Plange. Kisskemi had to sleep at the airport overnight due to weather issues. Madafo’s plane was cancelled the day before.

“Last night at this time I was praying,” she said. “But we are grateful that everything happened successfully, everybody’s here, everybody’s laughing and clapping.”

At the entrance, people could have their pictures taken in a photo booth, or in keeping with the night’s theme of “the African Market Experience,” buy African clothing or accessories.

It was Laurel Gray of Chassell’s first African Night. The food and entertainment made for a lively experience, she said.

“I loved the storyteller,” she said. “It brought the importance of the word. The vitality and amount of passion that was put into everything that was done was amazing. I really enjoyed it.”