The aka dondo is known as the talking drum. Rural villages in western Africa used the instrument to communicate to each other, and the new Arctic aka dondo Club, or Africa Club, at UAF sees itself as a similar tool. Reaching out to communicate the role of the continent of Africa in the globalizing world and how people in this community can learn and appreciate it is the goal of the club.

The club describes itself as "a venue for students, staff, faculty, and community members to share and further explore their interests of the African continent." The club consists of staff, students and faculty who are from Africa, as well as people who have an interest in Africa.

"A huge chunk of resources concerning Africa such as literature and history is missing at UAF," said Esther Antohin, the club's president. Antohin said that in the ever more interconnected world we live in, "We cannot really talk about any community that is isolated, and as we diversify, the absence [of Africa] becomes more of an issue."

Africa is dear to Antohin, who is originally from Ethiopia. She and her siblings fled the country after the Marxist revolt in 1977 while their parents were in detention. She returned in 1995 in more peaceful times. She wants to work toward expanding views about her country as well as the entire continent.

The club began with about five members when it was founded this year in late October and has already grown to about 20. The adviser, Goodwin Chukwu in the petroleum engineering department, has recruited students who come from all over the African continent. The club currently has members from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia.

One member, Crystal Timmcke who works in the admissions office, is not from Africa but has a vested interest in Africa because she went on exchange to Kenya for six months as a junior in college in 2000. She attended classes in a rural area about 45 minutes from Nairobi. Timmcke said she enjoyed the beauty and wildlife in Africa, but the more serious aspects of the country did not escape her. "After seeing all the poverty, it made me really feel lucky to be an American," Timmcke said. "I feel a responsibility to help out."

In the short term the club is trying to recruit members and spread awareness of its existence around campus. This month they are sending out Christmas greeting cards to introduce themselves to different departments around campus, and organizing speakers on Africa in local high schools. Their long term goals consist of having the University offer a minor in African studies and getting involved in international advocacy organizations such as Oxfam and Amnesty International.

The club is open up to everyone in the community interested. At the meetings every other Tuesday, the club sets an agenda, and they usually bring food. The club has the general club structure with a president and executive offices, but they emphasize the fact that they are democratically run and encourage all members to participate in an open forum of discussion.

They will gather for a meeting and Christmas party on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Alumni office in Constitution hall.