"Though our gift may be just token, it is nonetheless a step in the right direction," Antwi said.

S. Chartey Quarcoo '02, who told a traditional Ghanaian tale in the show, reflected upon the purpose of the Footsteps as he opened the show along with Antwi.

"Even as we celebrate tonight we must not shut our eyes to the tragedies that have plagued our continent," Quarcoo said.

The event became solemn when Iyesatta Massaquoi '99 explained the tragedies of war in her native Sierra Leone.

According to Massaquoi, the problems in Sierra Leone stem from the civil war in Liberia. The U.S. government established Liberia by sending previously enslaved blacks there and allowing them to rule.

When the native Liberians eventually rebelled against the government in the early 1990s a civil war began. Because of Sierra Leone's humanitarian aid to the Liberian government, the rebels invaded Sierra Leone.

Lighter Moments

The highlight of the show occurred when the Brothers of Kuumba sang "My Girl."

Before they began the song, John Gramling of the Brothers of Kuumba pulled his girlfriend Naima R. Lilly '01 out of the audience and sang specifically to her. He later presented her with a rose and a gift.

Audience member Jennifer L. James '02, said she felt the performances indicated the strength of African-Americans' connection to Africa.

"Sometimes as an African-American I feel out of touch with Africa. As a student at Harvard sitting in the audience, I had a chance to get in touch with the motherland. I hope it becomes an annual event," James said.

A dance in Adams House, featuring traditional African and Latino music, sponsored by HASA and Latinas Unidas followed the show.