As the beat of the drums faded in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union Saturday night, the lion ended its dance and dismantled to reveal two Malaysian students.

The lion dance was a highlight of the Malaysian Culture Night, which was held by the Association of Malaysian Students and included a buffet dinner and performance.

Before the festivities began, guests toured the Union’s Oak Room, which was filled with information on Malaysia in the form of brochures, colorful posters and silken native costumes. Visitors could also try their hands at Malay pebble games or Chinese calligraphy at demonstration booths manned by Malaysian students.

Visitors learned that Malaysia is made up of three major cultural groups: Malays and other indigenous people, Chinese and Indians, which explained the diversity of the food dishes and dances to come.

Guests sampled tangy chicken and beef dishes, fried bananas and kuih lapis. They washed everything down with teh peng, an iced tea made with condensed milk.

“I usually like trying foreign foods and this was no exception,” said Kareem Dixon, ISU graduate.

The performance was opened by notables like Mayor Ted Tedesco and American Red Cross Director Ron Matthews, who applauded the Malaysian students for their attempts to educate the Ames community and their decision to donate the night’s net profits to the American Red Cross.

“I hadn’t realized that the Malaysian Culture Night goes to support other charities,” said Laurie Sanda, associate professor of dance. “I was really amazed. I think it’s very commendable.”

The next two hours were filled with Chinese dancers twirling red ribbons, Malay dancers creating rhythms through singing and clapping and Indian dancers telling stories through hand gestures. Humorous dramatic sketches that reenacted the celebratory rituals for various Malaysian holidays were interspersed with the dances.

“I always enjoy the native costumes and music and how spirited they all are,” said Ames resident Maggie Hilgerson.