By Ochiaka Ugwu
American International School Abuja (AISA) Korean Day was organized by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at the American International School of Abuja (AISA) and the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN).
There were 500 participants including students, teachers, parents and staff American International School Abuja (AISA). Activities held were Hangeul Calligraphy & Card Photo zone, Janggu Drum Class, Taekwondo Class, Mask and Fan Painting, K-Pop Dance Class, Tuho Game, Photo zone Booth, Hansik Zone, Exhibition, Kite coloring, Traditional light set up with an indoor activity Lobby Exhibition.
At the AISA Lobby, there were KCCN Korea-Day banner and different Korean statues and ornaments placed as an exhibition for Korean Culture. Two life-sized mannequins wearing the Korean Traditional Hanbok were set up, and table-top little royal hanbok dolls were also displayed. There were Korea-promotional items, magazines and booklets on display. On the TV, four different Korea-promotion videos were played and Korean animations such as Time Travel Luke and Bugsbot Ignition were also on repeat.
Traditional Shield Kite coloring for the Pre-Kindergarten and Pre-School students totaling 43 in number. Upon given instructions and guided by their home room teachers, the students were directed on how to make Korean traditional mini stick paper kites.
The Janggu Drum class was taught during AISA music class. three staffs from KCCN handled the class. They attended to 85 students accumulatively, Grade 3 to Grade 5, and taught them not just the history of the Korean traditional drum- Janggu, but they also played videos on professional group, Janggu performances, taught them traditional Janggu rhythms called Insa-gut (Greeting sound) & Byeoldalgeori Jangdan Rhythmic cycle (farmer’s song). Lastly, they also taught them how to assemble the portable cardboard drums in class and how to play them.
Taekwondo class was classified under Gym Class and involved teaching students the background and meaning of Taekwondo, benefits of Taekwondo and basic hand and foot stances, poses and styles in Taekwondo. Head Coach of KCCN, and 2 coaches attended to a total of 156 students from Kindergarten to Grade 5.
Mask and Fan Painting activity was classified under art class. It was led by s staff of KCCN and it involved the painting of Korean traditional masks [Harabeoji /Old Man and Bunae / New Wife and Korean traditional fans [Buchae] with eight different classes and a total of 100 students from Kindergarten to Grade 3. A cultural background and uses of the cultural items were briefly explained then pupils were instructed to colour the items at their discretion.
K-Pop Dance Class was also classified under Gym class and was taught by a choreographer and his assistant. One KCCN Staff was in charge of setup of sound and technical systems. The K-POP class was a total of eight classes and 177 students from Grade 6 to Grade 10. Two songs were taught; ‘3D’ by Jung Kook and Black pink’s ‘How you like that’.
Outdoor activities include traditional light setup where traditional Korean fabric lamps were hung all around the school for a Korean cultural aesthetic.
Hangul Calligraphy & Card Photozone was an outdoor activity classified under ‘Experience Korea’ which is simply an avenue which students can have a quick feel of the Korean Culture between classes or during recess. One KCCN staff and two assistants attended to over 150 students and approximately 10 teachers. They were taught Hangeul, shown how to write their names in Korean, choose a Korean word to describe themselves, decorate the card and post it on the photo zone. After that, they were given a Korean cultural souvenir. The photozone had the map of Nigeria and Korea, and the goal was to use the hangul designed cards to create a card bridge between Nigeria and Korea. Over 130 cards were successfully posted to create this bridge.
Tuho Game, also an outdoor activity under ‘Experience Korea’, this traditional Tuho or Pitch-pot game was headed by one KCCN staff and two assistants. The Korean traditional game involves two competitive teams standing at a distance, and throwing some wooden- rubber tip arrows into two traditional wooden pots. The person or team to get more arrows into the pot wins.
Photozone Booth was another ‘Experience Korea’ activity, it was headed by KCCN volunteers, this involved students or teachers trying on an array of different, beautiful Korean traditional outfits, Hanbok, and taking pictures against a Korean traditional backdrop of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Korea.
Hansik Zone, this was headed by the Korean PTA of AISA. Different Korean dishes and drinks were served inclusive of Korean fried chicken (Dak Gang Jeong), Korean biscuits, snacks, Green tea and Korean mix-coffee.
The following interactions ensured between the participants: One Teacher was excited to try on the Korean Hanbok. “I am glad to be able to experience looking like a nobleman here in Nigeria.” He expressed thanks to the Korean Cultural Center team and Volunteers and he looks forward to visiting the Center in the near future. A Nurse was happy to wear the Hanbok and took so many photos. She said she enjoyed feeling like a princess and loves how light and airy the fabric felt. “I did not think these bright colours would look good on me, but i am glad and listened and tried them on.” She expressed thanks to KCCN and looks forward to future events.
A Teacher was happy to wear the Hanbok and took so many photos. She said she has been to Korea before but did not get the chance to try on Hanbok when she was there. Now her dream has come true here in Nigeria. She expressed thanks to KCCN and looks forward to future events. Another Teacher said she has never been to Korea but this was an amazing experience. “I feel like I am in Korea right now and I Love it here!” She took so many photos and said she would be sharing them with everyone she knows.A P.E. Teacher asserted “it would be great if Taekwondo classes could continue regularly.
The following comments were made by students: Student A “I look like a princess and I want to wear this Hanbok all day long.” Student B: “It is in my favourite colour. Now I want a Hanbok just like this!” Student C and sister: “Do you sell Hanboks at the Centre? Where can we buy them here in Nigeria and how do we learn to wear them?” Student D: “Can I take the outfit home with me?”
The event was successful, and in future KCCN would like to organize student events, but not just to highlight and introduce the Korean Culture, but to also highlight community diversity and create an enhanced global network.
