The African Club at CSI plans to use the jollof rice competition to highlight the African community and get the second generation an idea of their African tradition.
By: Demori Louis
The Jollof rice competition on May 8, 2025, is the African Club’s effort to use the beloved West African dish to unite born Africans and second-generation African Americans.
The event will feature CSI African students and students from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone preparing their unique takes on the dish.
“It’s easy to lose touch with your roots, it’s easy to forget where you came from,”
said Abugan. “Sometimes when trying to Americanize yourself, you lose yourself.
This dish is a nice reminder of your culture.”
Kanyitha Abugan, president of the African Club and a Nigerian native who has lived in America for eight years, organized the event with a focus on making sure the ingredients reflect the dish’s authentic roots. Each team will prepare their version using traditional spices and cooking techniques passed down from their homelands.
As stated in Medium’s article “Between Two Worlds: 8 Challenges as a Second Generation Immigrant,” someone with immigrant parents might experience life caught between two cultures. The identity of second-generation immigrants tends to be multifaceted and continually shifting.
The club’s mission is to help students embrace their identity and navigate the challenge of fitting in while staying true to themselves.
Vice President Beyouce Tabansi helped organize the competition to highlight the diverse cultures across Africa. She hopes the event will encourage students of African descent to take pride in their heritage.
“Different countries on the continent of Africa need to be highlighted. Give it the life it needs to capture students’ hearts,” said Tabansi. “Some food might take you to a place you’ve only heard about but never seen. For me, with family so far away, it feels real.”
Each country prepares Jollof rice differently.
Ghanaian rice tends to include more tomatoes and is often served with boiled eggs. Sierra Leonean versions are spicier and meat-heavy. Senegalese Jollof, also known as thieboudienne, is rich with vegetables and seafood.
“The competitor will cook the rice on campus,” said Abugan. “And students will be the judges. Everyone will taste each version and vote for the best.”
As stated in Britannica, Jollof rice is a spicy dish popularized in West Africa that originated in the Senegambian region—present-day Senegal and The Gambia—
before spreading across the continent. Its base ingredients include tomato, spices, and rice.
The competing teams will represent different countries, with three members per team.
They will cook live in 1C, where CSI students will get the chance to sample each version
and cast their vote for their favorite.
There will be Afro-pop music, mini games, and prizes throughout the event. The musical choice is intentional—meant to captivate students and create a true motherland experience.
The African Club believes this event is one of the most effective ways to provide cultural insight to the broader campus community.
They are inviting students from all backgrounds and pushing for more recognition and visibility for their club on campus.
“This is more than just food—it’s a connection,” said Nana Adjesty. Events like this remind me who I am and give others a taste of what we’re proud of, who we are. I’m a proud Ghanaian man who is make the best food.”
If the competition succeeds, the African Club hopes to expand it into an annual tradition.
Future events may include guest chefs, panel discussions on African history, cultural fashion showcases, and invitations to other schools to participate.
For now, the May 8 cook-off is a flavorful step toward cultural pride, community, and celebration. The African Club is hopeful that with continued support, the visibility of African culture on campus will continue to grow.
“The people need to accept us.”
said Sherifm. “And we, as Africans, need to accept ourselves.”
1.) The meat in the food is beef, sausage, and fish on occasion.
2.) Last year in May 2024, the first Jollof Rice competition was held, where Team Sierra Leone won.
3.) January 3 , 2025 These students from Josephine Clack academy were explaining to club members what it is like cooking jollof rice on a coal pot.
$,) every year there a annual jollof rice competition in west Africa and it helped to promote cultural diversity and peace..
