9 Days to FIUTS CulturalFest 2024!

“I believe that the CulturalFest makes people from all over the world come and get to know my ‘forgotten’ country and, above all, provides a unique platform to showcase local young models, talents, dancers, and other related professions.” 

Bachir Laouali Ousmane, Booth Captain of Niger

FIUTS hosts work-study fellows from all over the world every year. They help bridge cultural gaps by organizing and participating in student activities, including, naturally, FIUTS CulturalFest, which is essential to fulfilling our mission. This year, an ambitious young leader, Bachir, is helping with CulturalFest and representing his country, Niger, at the World Expo. 

My name is Bachir Laouali Ousmane. I am from Niger, a country located in West Africa. I am a Community Engagement Exchange Fellow, part of a global network of innovators tackling 21st Century issues, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with U.S. Government funding and support from IREX. 

This is the first time people from Niger participating in this wonderful event. During my brief stay and interactions with people here, I noticed that people always think that Niger is the same country as Nigeria. This is what inspired me to participate in CulturalFest and I took the position as a Booth Captain, leading activities and engagements with visitors to show people coming for this event that Niger and Nigeria are not the same country. 

I’ll showcase two aspects of my home country: 

Traditional Niger Dress for Men

• The cross represents Agadez Cross a region of Niger in the North Desert which is the symbol of peace and love. It is also used as a compass to navigate the infinite desert.  

• Traditional Dress for men is a long gown like the boubou seen in many parts of West Africa.  Haoussa name BANBAN RIGA and the English term gown. Boubou is usually decorated with intricate embroidery and is worn on special religious or ceremonial occasions, such as the two Islamic EID festivals, weddings, funerals, or for attending the Mosque for Friday Prayer. It has become the formal attire of many countries in West Africa. Older robes have become family heirlooms passed on from father to son and are worn as status symbols. 

I believe that the CulturalFest makes people from all over the world come and get to know my ‘forgotten’ country and, above all, provides a unique platform to showcase local young models, talents, dancers, and other related professions. "Creativity and development in the World" is my motto. 

Thanks to Bachir for his considerable efforts to make us learn more about Niger! We can’t wait to see his work at CulturalFest Expo 2024.