Last month, we celebrated Kwanzaa with Black and Brown families hosted by the magnificent cultural curator, Lorna Bryant. Local Humboldt residents came to gather to share stories and wisdom. We are in deep gratitude of our collective community!
Kwanzaa - What is it?
Kwanzaa is an African-Americans celebration of life from 26 December to 1 January. Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home. The word "kwanza" is a KiSwahili (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) word meaning "first."
Five common sets of values are central to the activities of the week: ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment, and celebration. The seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kwanzaa utilize Kiswahili words: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). Each of the seven candles signify the principles. Like the Jewish Hannakah, candles are used to represent concepts of the holiday.
The symbols of Kwanzaa includes crops (mzao) which represents the historical roots of African-Americans in agriculture and also the reward for collective labor. The mat (mkeka) lays the foundation for self- actualization. The candle holder (kinara) reminds believers in the ancestral origins in one of 55 African countries. Corn/maize (muhindi) signifies children and the hope associated in the younger generation. Gifts (Zawadi) represent commitments of the parents for the children. The unity cup (Kkimbe cha Umoja) is used to pour libations to the ancestors. Finally, the seven candles (mishumaa saba) remind participants of the severl pinciples and the colors in flags of African liberation movements -- 3 red, 1 black, and 3 green.
Gifts are exchanged. On 31 December participants celebrate with a banquet of food often cuisine from various African countries. Participants greet one another with "Habari gani" which is Kiswahili for "how are you/ how's the news with you?"
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AKWANSOSEM AFRICAN STUDIES PROGRAM - OUTREACH, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON Vol. III, No. 2 - March, 1990
Akwansosem is an outreach newsletter designed for educators of grades kindergarten through college. Funding is through a Title VI U.S. Department of Education grant. Published once a semester, deadlines for contributions are 15 September and 15 February.
Editor: Dr. Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.
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