PORTAGE | Central Elementary School students didn't know why they were summoned to the school's gymnasium Monday afternoon until five men in shiny gold suits cartwheeled in.

Students were treated to a lively and energetic performance by the Mapapa African Acrobats, originally from coastal Kenya, as part of the school's ongoing commitment to show students other cultures, Principal Gaye Lindsley said.

"We're in the process of forming a diversity program," she said. "We have a growing, diverse population."

Having the troupe perform for the school's 560 students is a way to better familiarize them with different nationalities, races and cultures they'll experience in everyday life, Lindsley said. It also will spill over into their academic studies.

"Aside from the entertainment, this is something we can use academically for writing prompts in their language arts classes, or it could spur research into different areas in social studies," she said.

Watching the five men dart about the floor doing a variety of acrobatic maneuvers, contortion and even a little slapstick humor, students roared with excitement.

Zee Ali, one of the acrobats, said while it may look like all fun, they have a rather extensive training ritual.

"We train so hard, two times a day, two hours a day," he said.

Juma Khamis, the group's leader, said they've been together for the past seven years, touring the world, before putting down roots in South Carolina.

"We started this in Africa, then we went to Europe, then down here," Khamis said.

Helping students immediately identify their similarities and using language from Walt Disney's "The Lion King," Ali explained to students that they already know a few words in his native Swahili and encouraged them to expand their mental horizons.