Click to see and hear Karamoko Camara and friends take the energy level up a few notches.

Photos/Adnan Wahid

I recently had the opportunity to ask some of the SayTaiwan delegates who represented Africa about their experience on The Beautiful Island and the powerful moment during Karamoko Camara’s performance when Africans from many countries took the stage in united celebration. It was a truly great moment and it was inspiring to remember it and hear some of the participant’s reflections. Thanks to everyone for your contributions!

SparkJam: How did it feel to represent your country and Africa at that moment?

May A. Attallah: I’m from Egypt, at the north of Africa, I belong to the middle east and Africa at the same time. At the moment of the African dance, I was so happy to see it and wanted to participate but unfortunately I’m not so good , and this kind of dance it’s not so popular in my country. I was just happy to be a part of this amazing scene, and I feel proud presenting my continent..Africa, rich of culture & joy.

Donald Leungô Molosi: I am always heartened and honored to represent my beloved country of Botswana, and if I unintentionally did something by way of representation for Africa, that is an even greater honor. The dance moment itself was a great explosion of fun, it was a chance for me to enjoy live African music. And doing that in Taiwan meant a chance to also share something about Botswana by parading my costume and doing my dances.

‘Toyin Ajao (Nigeria): Representing Africa, a rich diverse continent among other beautiful continents around the world was so exhilarating! I was happy too that the beauty in the continent of Africa shone through as many of us came from different countries from East to West, North to South. As I danced away with so much happiness, I was happy to be part of something that wonderful. Taiwan was my happy place; it was good to see other people from all over the world showcasing their rich culture, sharing a moment of pure joy together. I was happy to be a part of this moment radiating African delight and free spirit.

Med Drazio Draoui (Tunisia): I feel proud to represent a small country rich with its culture and people. When I saw the African dance on stage and in the same time that positive reaction of impressed people I felt like a great man on earth, I felt like I was drawing my place in this world.

Danelle Bhana Coetzee (South Africa): It felt right – this is what we do in Africa – we unite in dance and song whether we are happy or sad. I was happy to be there – not only because it was an auspicious occasion which I could take part in – but because there were so many African candidates on stage – a truly special and rare moment.

Phoebe Mokgadi Ramaloko: Song and dance are part of everyday life in Botswana, we dance when we are happy. Sing when we are said. Botswana is very well known for its traditional dance. Dancing is big part of social interaction. By dancing on stage I was expressing my joy for the opportunity to be part of SayTaiwan. I also went on stage to give other African youth hope that if they believe in themselves anything is possible.

Maxime Jim Toure (Rwanda): I felt like we were given a voice as a nation in Taiwan.

SJ: What does it mean to represent Africa to you?

May A. Attallah: It means showing people who we are, despite racism and stereotypes. African countries face problems, and we Africans may not have the best life on earth, but we still dance, laugh and have fun, and we are still proud of who we are, in a time when people don’t really act like who they are.

Donald Leungô Molosi: I do not think I consciously represent Africa but it is an unintended role that I welcome. Taiwan has inspired me to make even more of a conscious role, on my part. I wanted to present myself as testament to the humanity, humor and intelligence of my people, from Botswana and if you suggest so, then yes, also my people from Africa to diaspora.

‘Toyin Ajao: African means a lot to me. The beauty of such an outstanding and resource and culture-blessed continent is often undermined. Some people have one sided stories of Africa being poverty stricken, people from that continent needing help and aid to survive, without telling the story of resilience, undaunted spirit of survival, unquantifiable energy, invincible determination and such unequivocal brilliance! To be there representing my individuality while my heritage shine bright was heavenly.

Med Drazio Draoui: To present Africa to me means that despite all the problems we have we still have our voice on this planet. We still have our unique flavor that could give something in to humanity.

Danelle Bhana Coetzee: It humbles me – but I am so proud and was so willing to step up and take the opportunity to represent my country first and then Africa as we have done. It means I am able to show other delegates from around the world how proud I am of my heritage and culture. It means I can showcase my difference, my energy, pride and the beat I was born with!

Phoebe Mokgadi Ramaloko: To me representing Africa is an honor, because all of us on stage represented modern, driven successful young Africans. There is normally a stereotype for Africans, especially women. I represent, strong, intelligent young women who are strong willed. Africa is so diverse and varied just all the different colored traditional costumes that where on stage.

Maxime Jim Toure: It means everything to me, because of the love that I have for Africa.

SJ: If there is something you hoped to express as an African at SayTaiwan – what would that be?

May A. Attallah: Africa is so wide and so diverse, you can find black & white faces, curly & straight hair ..I wanted to show the world that we are highly educated, and we want a better future for our countries, because these days, Africans often appear in movies as thieves or mafia.

Donald Leungô Molosi: I bring back to Botswana a lot of good touching memories. But I would like to believe all of us Africans brought something to Taiwan and that we are not just taking lessons from Taiwan to Africa but giving Taiwan something as well. I was happy to share the music, beauty, laughter and humanity all we Africans brought to Taiwan and we hope that those are things that will be associated with our collective name by those whom we were fortunate enough to meet on this great adventure!

‘Toyin Ajao: This is why Africa is such a diverse continent. At times there is nothing to express, but just to be there, be yourself, share with people. To be a part of the fun, be a part of the story. That way, you really have nothing else to express, you are a part of a whole. You gain, others gain. You take a good look at the beauty of Taiwan and you just have a very satisfying smile on your face.

Med Drazio Draoui: I would love to say to people that Africa is not only the black race. In Northern Africa is the Arabic delegation and they still represent another unique flavor inside that African magic.

Danelle Bhana Coetzee: How united us Africans are – and our love and respect for other people. We make brothers and sisters, not friends and acquaintances. That Africans are unique, dynamic, strong, interested and willing to share. There is so much in Africa that the rest of the world can’t even fathom, our dance, our animals, our food, our languages, our struggles and our victories. Africa is the pulse of the world I tell you!

Phoebe Mokgadi Ramaloko: That Botswana and Africa have come along way, things might not be where we want them to be but we are getting there. Like Botswana for example has managed to educate its people and to provide basic amenities. Africa is on the dawn of greatness.

Maxime Jim Toure: My culture, food and clothing.

SJ: Is there something from Taiwan that you’d like to bring back to Africa?

May A. Attallah: I learned to be open minded and accept all people, from all over the world. I loved the Taiwanese lifestyle, as I study economics, I’m really impressed by the economic development in Taiwan and that’s what I hope to bring back to Egypt after our precious revolution 25 Jan 2011. I want to say that I was really proud to represent my identity as an Arab Muslim girl, and I was so happy to have the chance to meet other Arabs from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia & Oman. We had the opportunity to talk with the same language and discuss the similar problems in our countries. We share the same culture, same ideas, principles and often times religion. We have lots of common things and I hope we can form an Arab union like the EU.

Donald Leungô Molosi: I bring back to Botswana a lot of good touching memories. But I would like to believe all of us Africans brought something to Taiwan and that we are not just taking lessons from Taiwan to Africa but giving Taiwan something as well. I was happy to share the music, beauty, laughter and humanity all we Africans brought to Taiwan and we hope that those are things that will be associated with our collective name by those whom we were fortunate enough to meet on this great adventure!

‘Toyin Ajao: We are all part of the universe and Taiwan helps me realize the many smiles that will always mean so much to everyone you meet on your way. I love the fact that Taiwan believes so much in their ancestors and gods. We need not throw that away in Africa because we are made to embrace other religions. At times we don’t know how rich we are, we don’t know how blessed we are. Even when the government failed the people, the spirit of ‘can do’, ‘will survive’ and that ‘we are there for each other’ save the day.

Med Drazio Draoui: In Taiwan I learned that man can do whatever he dreams about since he wants to do it. Work is fruitful … if African organizations, private and public, make plans for development and act efficiently we could improve like Taiwan did. To present Africa to me means that despite all the problems we have we still have our voice on this planet. We still have our unique flavor that gives something big to humanity.

Danelle Bhana Coetzee: Oh there is so much – lots of stories firstly, but one thing I’m personally endeavoring to do is – a ceramics class for kids over here. We have a history in pottery, clay and ceramics too – so I’d like to piggy-back off what I’ve seen and experienced at the Yingge Ceramics Museum. Its a simple plan, but it will focus on the creative side of our youth which is naturally inherent in most children anyway. I want to give kids here in SA, in my community in the Eastern Cape especially, something to do on a Saturday afternoon for example. There are just so many bad distractions easily available to them. It will be my way of making a difference!

Phoebe Mokgadi Ramaloko: Taiwan believes in Peace and the fulfillment of human kind. Africa is is need of peace, not just by stopping wars, but by addressing other challenges like poverty, famine, tribal wars and others. Taiwan has learned from its turbulent past. I love they way that Taiwan has managed to rise from its past to have a successful democracy, like how in Kinmen mortar shells are used to make knives. That is a precious lesson I bring home to Africa.

Maxime Jim Toure: Work hard and it’s never too late to get to the top and if we stand as one we will make our continent famous. To love our culture can help us, this is one of the things I learned in Taiwan.