“Kwanzaa” comes from the Kiswahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means the "first fruits of the harvest."
ATLANTIC CITY — I’m really surprised when I meet African-Americans, let alone others, who don’t know anything about Kwanzaa, even if they’ve decided not to celebrate it.
I remember a time when you had to choose which Kwanzaa celebration you would attend, because there were so many (1970s). Then, later it seemed a little fear set in about whether Kwanzaa contradicted people’s religious or spiritual practices, especially Christian (1980s).
Now and then, I’d find a Kwanzaa celebration that went a bit “over the top” with bare-breasted sisters dancing before bare-chested African drummers and libations being poured from bone-like vessels, maybe somebody’s attempt to be what he thought was truly “African.” It is difficult to pinpoint almost anything as simply “African”; today, the huge continent is made up of more than 50 different countries with thousands of languages and customs, diverse populations, geographical landscapes, political and religious histories.
Let’s set the record straight: Kwanzaa is truly African-American. It is NOT a religious holiday. It is one of only two specifically African-American CULTURAL holidays or celebrations, the other one being Juneteenth.
Juneteenth is still largely celebrated in the South, but it seems to gain momentum each year. It originated in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865.
Juneteenth is also known as African-American Emancipation Day, but strangely enough, came two and a half year’s after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Kwanzaa didn’t begin until almost a century later, at a time when African-Americans were feeling culturally and politically powerful.
In 1966, Dr. Maulana Karenga, a Black Studies professor and community activist, came up with the idea, saying, “The first act of a self-conscious and self-determining people….is to redefine and reshape reality in its own image and according to its own needs.”
He took “Kwanzaa” from the Kiswahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means the first fruits of the harvest and emphasized the seven-day observance as a time to reaffirm our commitments to self, family and community, a real time of personal re-assessment and renewal leading up to a new year. Many African-Americans felt this was a great alternative to over-materialized Christmas celebrations that had become so popular but had no deeper spiritual meaning (1990s).
Now, though there are no official numbers, it is estimated that more than 25 million Americans celebrate Kwanzaa in one way or another, some combining it with their religious celebrations.
Between December 26 and January 1, one principle is highlighted each day.
1. Umoja – unity
2. Kujichagulia – self-determination
3. Ujima – collective work and responsibility
4. Ujamaa – cooperative economics
5. Nia – purpose
6. Kuumba – creativity
7. Imani – faith
It dawned on me the other day that I have completed my first year as an acweekly.com columnist. It’s been one of the best years of my life, a year that has forced me to challenge myself and grow as a writer.
Over the last few months when families were gathering for all types of occasions, some of the young men in our family refused to attend because of “so many divorced couples and so few new marriages.” I was disappointed by their absence but understood their sentiments. Like many modern American families, we’ve had so many divorces now that one niece asked, “Is divorce a tradition in our family?”
"...the feeling I left with from the Kwanzaa celebration was that 'the village must look out for the village — regardless of who or where we are.'"
A real celebration of the life of Hassan Abdullah (aka Stanley Barber) took place on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 27, at Wash’s Inn in Pleasantville.
In a cozy purple sweater and gray sweatpants, the orange Mohawk was expertly coiffed as usual. I remembered attending her 75th birthday party a few years ago and knew then I wanted to hear her story from her own mouth, but she is one hard lady to catch up with.
When she accepted the Dorothie Dorrington Award for Community Service on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Council of Black Faculty and Staff of Stockton College's annual awards, dinner and dance banquet, Gilliam surprised everyone by walking through the audience and pointing out ...
The Polaris Development Group plans to revitalize Kentucky Avenue, as well as its historic and long-gone entertainment and eating establishments.
Here are a few great events coming up before and after the holidays. But first, Atlantic City Councilman Mo Delgaldo is looking for volunteers to join him and others on Christmas Day, as they sing carols to local seniors. If you would like to lend your voice, call 464-0736. The Little Wellness Arts and Cultural Center Every Wednesday I join fellow writers/artists such as Lee Ann Irizarry, Cheryl B. Sellers and others for the Little Wellness Arts and Cultural Center events. We meet at 6pm at The Doris Jazz Room in Pleasantville to offer programs that focus on the artist’s life on and off the stage. In 2012, we will offer acting classes, voice classes, and wellness seminars. There will be plenty of great live performances as well....
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1. Gerry said... on Dec 16, 2011 at 04:19PM
“thanks for this”
2. Geoff Rosenberger said... on Dec 20, 2011 at 08:41AM
“Thanks Turia... I have been invited to a Kwanzaa Celebration this year. I now understand it much better”