BlackPerspective.net
Discussing the Diaspora as seen through an internal Black lens
Kwanzaa At A Glance
December 26th, 2007
Today Is The start of the 7 day celebration of Kwanzaa. 2007 marks the 41st annual celebration of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa was started by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 as a “Branch” back to the African tree.
Kwanzaa is a Pan-African, nonreligious, holiday celebration meant to connect Black people throughout the African Diaspora back to their roots through affirmation of self and restoration of our cultural heritage.
The ideals of Kwanzaa are expressed through the commonly spoken East-African language of Ki-swahili. Kwanzaa itself means first fruits and is styled in the African tradition of the harvest festivals that took place at the time of the great annual crop harvest. This event was seen and celebrated as a time of renewal and rebirth in various African societies such as Ancient Egypt, the Ashanti Kingdom and by the Zulu Nation to name some
Along with connecting to their roots through traditional cultural practices, Kwanzaa is designed to give the practitioner a vehicle to reaffirm themselves to productive personal and community values. It’s an opportunity for personal, family, and community renewal. This is accomplished through The Nguzo Saba or The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. These seven principles give Kwanzaa its true meaning and very much separates it from most holidays.
Kwanzaa is celebrated by gathering each night(or day) starting December the 26th, to celebrate, extol, pray for, etc. the principle of that day. For instance today is the 1st day of Kwanzaa, so to day we highlight UMOJA (UNITY) - To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
To enact these highlighting ceremonies people may gather in private celebrations among just family and friends or go to a community event. Green, read, and black(the pan-African colors established by Garvey) candles or Mishumaa are lit, seven, one for each principle; and a unity cup or Kikombe cha Umoja is used to pour out libations in memory of the ancestors and past around in small gatherings for everyone to drink from in a show of unity.
In Kwanzaa we greet each other with the warm welcome of Habari Gani – “what’s the news?” or Harambee – “pull together”.
Kwanzaa with its guiding principles is more than a one week recognition ceremony; but a way of life that should be celebrated through the practice of said principles year around.
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Yobachi Boswell is creator and publisher of BlackPerspecitve.net. I’m a writer, activist and political watcher based in Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve also been know to do some spoken word and MCing in my day.
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peaceful Kwanzaa nd may if exist all year round.
I’m not African-American, but I would love to celebrate Kwanzaa. Unfortunately I have no one to celebrate with. Great blog and very intelligent. Love it!
Hairs My Story.com
Thanks Cooper
Appreciate that LeAnn,
If your not African American are you of other African dissent because you look Black to me?
Kwanzaa is for the whole diaspora and is celebrated in many different countries.
Yes. I am. But, I don’t have/know anyone who is interested in celebrating it. In school, we only learned the basics, but not much about Kwanzaa. Its hard getting anyone to care as much about it as christmas. I need to find more information on the celebration and get people who care about Kwanzaa to join with me.
Hairs My Story.com
Thank you for sharing this post on Kwanzaa. I provided some details on the Nguzo Saba. LeAnne, you can celebrate it with us here online if you like!
Habari Gani? Kuumba!
I hope that my blogging activity over the past year has been a creative release from my more business-oriented activities. I hope to display even more creativity in 2008 with my blog and also with my innovative genealogy research on behalf of my family clans.
Harambee!
Villager
I’m going to check out those details Villager.
Much success on your 08 endeavors.