Adyole celebrates Black History Month in Jobe Lounge

Kathrine Moser
Staff Writer
As part of Black History Month celebration at ECC, three African-American artists sang and danced their philosophy of "it’s better to give than receive." The three artists who call themselves Adyole performed in the Jobe Lounge.

Nare Makhan is the lead dancer for the group while Baba Ellie and Prince are both drummers. Donning native West African costumes and performing on musical instruments such as the Dun Dun drum, Djembe drum and the Sekere, Adyole performed a free concert sponsored by the College Programming Board.

According to Stacey Perkins from Urban Gateway, the larger group from which the ensemble was recruited, the members of Adyole have spent their entire lives studying the art of West African music and dance and have practiced in the Chicagoland area with different companies.

Each of the songs performed had a powerful message with it. One was entitled “Bong bong fumiyeh,” translated to “be proud of who you are.” Another was a dance of the spirit honoring ancestors in which Makhan wore a mask known as the masquerade.

Student Laura Masonick, who studies ballet and jazz at ECC, was selected by Makhan to dance along with him. Astonished audience members watched Makhan pick her up and balancing her above his head while twirling her around.

“I have cousins that live in South Africa,” said Masonik. “It was unexpected, but fun.”