On March 13, Loyola danced its way into Asian culture — to the beat of a loud drum.
Students and faculty gathered in the Residential Quad to enjoy a traditional “Taiko” drum dance and many other forms of Asian entertainment, for the Loyola Asian Student Organization’s “Festival of Light”. The LASO and the University Programming Board hosted a traditional Asian festival for Loyola to learn about Asian culture.
Megan Geeck, event coordinator and international business and Japanese studies senior, felt the event would showcase “Loyola University’s diversity of appreciation in culture.”
The quad was filled with students and faculty from different backgrounds and beliefs who gathered together to socialize. There was a table exhibit for information on Loyola’s study abroad program opportunities in Asia. There was also a table displaying Japanese items, such as the kimono (traditional Japanese dress), in styles from formal to casual.
The festival began with the loud beating of the drum — a “Taiko” welcoming. Taiko, translated as “fat drum,” goes back more than 1400 years.
“It is the Japanese drumming that is played in religious ceremonies, festivities, and other occasions in ancient and modern Japan ,” according to St. Louis Osuwa’s website, http://www.stltaiko.com.
The St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, dressed in Japanese traditional wear, performed different rhythms and beats with the drum. After their performance, the group members pulled volunteers from the crowd to learn basic Taiko steps.
“I enjoy playing the Taiko because of the beautiful sound and power it makes,” said Jaci Lett, a member of the St. Louis Osuwa Taiko for eight years.
The event also had many other performances, such as Chinese Tai Chi and Japanese martial arts, traditional Indian dance, traditional Asian dances and an encore performance of the Asian lion.
Students played “Kingyo Sukui,” (goldfish scooping), a popular Japanese game, by catching goldfish with rice paper pastel.
“The gold fishes symbolize health and good luck,” said English literature junior Maria Rossi.
Students familiar with Asian customs and culture said that they enjoyed the festival.
“The festival reminds me so much of my culture, music and food,” said Jack Lien, general studies freshman with Taiwan heritage.
Other students, first-timers to the cultural experience, said that they learned a lot.
“I have a lot of Asian friends and my horizon has widening because of my roommate — who told me to come to the festival,” said sociology sophomore Ana Soley.
Mai Bader can be reached at [email protected].
