Wilkes University students, faculty and staff are invited to come together for an evening rooted in culture, creativity and community at the upcoming event Under the Baobab Tree: A Griot Celebration. Hosted by the Africana Studies program, the event will take place on Monday, April 20 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Sordoni Art Gallery.
Inspired by the rich traditions of West Africa, the event centers around the symbolic meaning of the baobab tree, often referred to as the “Tree of Life.” In many West African communities, the baobab serves as a gathering place where stories are shared, histories are preserved and wisdom is passed down through generations. Beneath its branches, the griot, a storyteller, historian, poet and musician, plays a vital role as a keeper of cultural memory and community identity.
Bringing this tradition to campus, Africana Studies aims to create a space where voices can be heard, stories can be shared and connections can be formed. The event invites participants of all backgrounds or simply listening. Attendees are encouraged to share poetry, spoken word pieces, songs, folktales, personal stories or even step routines. Each performance will be limited to four minutes, allowing for a diverse range of voices and expressions throughout the evening.
For those interested in performing, sign-ups are available through a QR code, or the online form provided by organizers. As an added incentive, all performers will receive an Africana Studies T-shirt, recognizing their contribution to the event and the community.
In addition to student and community performances, the evening will feature two accomplished artists whose work reflects the spirit of the griot tradition.
Deidre Van Walters, a spoken word teaching artist and chair of the Bethlehem-based theatre group Basement Poetry, will bring her experience in using raw and original art to engage and inform audiences. Her work focuses on fostering community dialogue through performance and storytelling.
Also featured is Assetou Xango, a writer, performer and facilitator whose work centers on amplifying the voices and experiences of women and gender non-conforming people of color. Through storytelling that challenges binaries and divisions, Xango’s performances aim to inspire reflection, empowerment and social awareness.
The celebration is made possible through the collaboration of several campus partners, including the Associate Provost for Academic and Diversity Affairs, the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, the Sordoni Art Gallery, the Division of Diversity Initiatives and the Multicultural Student Coalition. This collective support underscores the university’s commitment to promoting cultural awareness and student engagement.
As Wilkes continues to expand opportunities for cultural programming, events like Under the Baobab Tree offer students a chance to step outside the classroom and experience the power of storytelling as both an art form and a means of connection. Whether taking the stage or sitting in the audience, participants are invited to be a part of a tradition that celebrates voice, history and community. With its blend of performance, culture and community spirit, Under the Baobab Tree: A Griot Celebration promises to be a meaningful and memorable addition to campus life this spring.