Placer students learn about the cultures and traditions of Africa

Placer Elementary School students recently spent a day in Africa, without ever leaving their campus. Africa came to them.Julius Njui, originally from Kenya in Africa, and his wife, Maxine, transformed a Placer classroom into a museum of African culture to educate students. The couple used photos, statues, maps, flags, masks, dolls, toys, musical instruments and clothing from the distant continent. The Njuis were dressed in African clothing and entertained and educated the children throughout the day with song, dance, stories, history and geography. Students visited the Africa classroom in groups, by age, and the Njuis tailored their pres-entation to their audience.Njuis said the eighth-grade students discussed African current events, including Soma-lia's pirates. Younger students were fascinated by tales of siafu, that Njui called "the most feared animal in Africa." The creatures are fierce driver ants with powerful bites. They devour any insect or animal in their path."Everyone, including lions, run from them," he said.The hands-on assembly allowed students to look at, touch, feel and even wear the authen-tic African items. During each presentation, a few students were chosen to dress up in traditional clothing, such as kangas that are worn by African women.Students also played drums and instruments and danced to traditional music.The Njuis have been presenting "A Day In Africa" assemblies to schools since 1993.