PRINCESS ANNE — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore gave the royal treatment Friday to a most royal visitor, the king of Ghana, who arrived amid much pomp and circumstance to inaugurate a new major in African-American and African studies.
Drummers beating fast rhythms and beautiful dancers wearing traditional clothing led the processional into the campus auditorium, where King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II took center stage while foreign students bearing the brightly-colored flags of their homelands sat behind him.
‘‘I’ve never been this close to a king before, so this is a first for me as well and quite an honor,’’ University President Dolores R. Spikes told the crowd.
After a series of songs and introductions, the soft-spoken king offered some words of encouragement for the new degree program that will allow students to delve into the rich history and diversity of Africa.
‘‘A people without knowledge of their history is like a tree without roots — these are words of wisdom and caution,’’ the king said.
He commended the university for the hard work to pull together such a degree program, which will begin in the fall semester.
‘‘May I assure you that your labor was worth it,’’ he said. ‘‘I am especially proud today that I, too, can be part of your labor.’’
The major brings together history, political science, economics, arts and literature into one program. Students will learn about countries such as Egypt, Mali and Ghana, while also studying the accomplishments of Americans such as George Washington Carver and Martin Luther King.
‘‘As African-Americans, we identify very much with our homeland, but African and African-American history is not for (us) only. All should study and know of it,’’ Spikes said. ‘‘For too long the contributions of this continent and its descendants have been ignored.’’
Abena Afari Bediako, the lead dancer of the royal troupe, Fretete, agreed. ‘‘We all come from Africa, irrespective of your culture, color or country,’’ she said. ‘‘It is laudable for all our children and for the generations to learn and be proud of where we come from.’’
Encouraging the public to view the exuberant cultural display, administrators opened the event to the public.
School children from Wicomico and Somerset counties attended along with residents, students, faculty and visitors from other colleges. ‘‘We have been studying different continents and cultures, and when this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came about, our principal (Judylynn Mitchell) gladly made arrangements,’’ said West Salisbury Elementary teacher Edith Nutter, who helped chaperone five classes of second-graders.
The kids couldn’t sit still as the Ghanaian drummers pounded and the king’s attendants made proclamations in their native tongue.
‘‘We’ve been learning about this stuff,’’ said second-grader Daniel Nguyen. ‘‘I don’t really know what they’re saying, but it sounds really cool,’’
