Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa celebration with its founder, Maulana Karenga, and others
Observed byAfrican Americans
TypeCultural and ethnic
SignificanceCelebrates Black heritage, unity and culture.
DateDecember 26 until January 1
CelebrationsUnity
Self-Determination
Collective Work and Responsibility
Cooperative Economics
Purpose
Creativity
Faith
Related toBlack History Month

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration held in the United States to honor universal African heritage and culture. People light a kinara (candle holder with seven candles) and give each other gifts. It takes place from December 26 to January 1 every year. It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966 - 1967. Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa. The holiday greeting is "Joyous Kwanzaa".

History and name of the holiday

Kwanzaa is a celebration that started in the black nationalist movement of the 1960s. It was created as a way to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage.[source?]

The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning first fruits of the harvest.

During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said that it was meant to be an alternative to Christmas, that Jesus was psychotic, and that Christianity was a white religion that black people should shun. However, as Kwanzaa became more popular, Karenga changed his position so that practicing Christians could also feel included. He stated in the 1997 Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture, "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday."

Many Christian African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.

Principles and symbols

Seven candles in a candle holder are symbols of the seven ideas of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba—the seven principles of blackness). Karenga said that this "is a communitarian African philosophy," . It consists of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:

A woman lights candles on a table with things for Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat on which other symbols are placed, corn and other crops, a candle holder with seven candles, called a kinara, a communal cup for pouring libations, gifts, a poster of the seven principles, and a black, red, and green flag. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles.

During Kwanzaa, families also decorate their households with objects of art. They use colorful African cloth such as kente, especially the wearing of kaftans by women. Fresh fruits that represent African idealism are also used. It is normal to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. Libations are shared, generally with a common chalice (a shared cup), Kikombe cha Umoja, passed around to all people present. A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness, reflection on the Pan-African colors, a discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter in African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance, and, finally, a feast (Karamu). The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa is Habari Gani? which is Swahili for "What's the News?"

Cultural exhibitions include the Spirit of Kwanzaa, an annual celebration held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featuring interpretive dance, African dance, song and poetry.

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ ""Why Kwanzaa Video"". Ron Karenga. Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  2. ↑ Keith Mayes, cited by Megan K. Scott, "Kwanzaa celebrations continue, but boom is over Archived 2009-12-20 at the Wayback Machine", Buffalo News, 17 December 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2009.
  3. ↑ Bush, George W. (2004-12-23). "Presidential Kwanzaa Message, 2004". Office of the Press Secretary. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
  4. ↑ "Clinton offers holiday messages". CNN. 1997-12-23. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
  5. ↑ Gale, Elaine (1998-12-26). "Appeal of Kwanzaa continues to grow; holidays: today marks start of the seven-day celebration of African culture, which began in Watts 32 years ago and is now observed by millions". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
  6. ↑ Megan K. Scott, "Kwanzaa celebrations continue, but boom is over Archived 2009-12-20 at the Wayback Machine", Buffalo News, 17 December 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2009.
  7. ↑ Karenga, Maulana (1967). "Religion". In Clyde Halisi, James Mtume (ed.). The quotable Karenga. Los Angeles: University of Sankore Press. p. 25. 23769.8. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
  8. ↑ J. Lawrence Scholer, "The story of Kwanzaa", Dartmouth Review, 15 January 2001.
  9. ↑ Williams, Lena (1990-12-20). "In Blacks' Homes, the Christmas and Kwanzaa Spirits Meet". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
  10. ↑ "The Symbols of Kwanzaa". Archived from the original on 2016-12-04. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
  11. ↑ "Kwanzaa Greeting". Archived from the original on 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
  12. ↑ "A Model Kwanzaa Ceremony". Archived from the original on 2008-06-16. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
  13. ↑ "The Spirit of Kwanzaa". Archived from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
  14. ↑ "The Dance Institute of Washington". Archived from the original on 2001-02-21. Retrieved 2011-05-05.

Other websites

References