Mankato, Mn (The Reporter) April 04, 2006 -Anuak means “share.” That is what the local Anuak community members did Saturday night when they hosted their cultural celebration event in the CSU Ballroom. The Anuak shared their culture including cultural dances, music and food as well as the story of their difficult history.
By MARC LACEY
NYTIMES Reporter
Published: July 22, 2005
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 18 - It looks like a Starbucks. It smells and tastes like one too. Settle into one of the comfortable Starbucks-like armchairs and it certainly feels like the real thing.
Even the green aprons for the employees and the round logo are startlingly familiar to anyone who has spent time over a Frappuccino.
USA, June 25, 2005 - Anuak Cultural Dance Band was invited by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to take part in the World Refugee Day commemoration on Monday June 20, 2005 at Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Presenters were from the State of Minnesota Senate, American Refugee Committee, State of Minnesota Demography Center and several guests as well. This World Refugee Day festivity was sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and co-sponsored by many Community Services Agencies in the Twin cities area. According to the background flyer, the United Nations has chosen June 20, 2005 as day to rejoice the contributions of refugees worldwide. This symposium honors World Refugee Day by reflecting on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United States refugee act of 1980.
USA, April 4, 2005 - Anuaks take number one spot at a cultural festival event names “Africa Night” at the Minnesota State University (MSU) in Mankato, Minnesota. During the opening ceremony, Anuaks, and other members of the audience clapped and cheered as Gambellan national flag went up and an event presenter gave information on Gambella background. Like all other flags, Ethiopian flag went up separately, representing Ethiopians who participated but comes far below most of countries that participated in the event.Anuak dance takes of number one spot comes on April 3, 2005 at an event that included participants from Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Eritrea. After the opening ceremony, the program begins with Ivorian dance-Sagacite and finished with Dombolo dance-Congo followed by African fashion show. As Anuak dance turn announced, audience moved up close forward to the dance stage as Ojulu Kiru and his fellow drumming team brought out their drummers to the stage.
USA, Febuary 24, 2005 - Songs many young Anuak adults enjoyed starting in 1980s throughout Anuakland were western African, Zairian or Highlander Ethiopian music. I remember when we were in Dimma City and Gambela City, Highlander Ethiopian music when is played, we in the club would rise up and started dancing. Some among us when they heard the song cassette played, they would even cry, reflecting on what they did somewhere the cassette being played was first released. Among the songs we enjoyed at the time were songs by highlander singers like Tseagye and Haregany.Today, however, at a party here in Minneapolis, MN one of the most important songs that when is played Anuak young adults and older Anuaks will raise up and danced with real reflections, celebration, pried and Anuak contribution to the music world today is songs like Nyanywaa amare kieny by Ojulu Pwola. Increasingly, Mr. Pwola, who came to United States in 1994, as a refugee and reside in Minnesota ever since, his many songs today are replacing the Highlander Ethiopian songs and the Western African songs. It is perhaps no aggravation to say that Mr. Pwola is increasingly becoming the sole Anuak music reviver.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 18 - It looks like a Starbucks. It smells and tastes like one too. Settle into one of the comfortable Starbucks-like armchairs and it certainly feels like the real thing.