This year, for the seven days spanning December 26 through
January 1, millions of people of African descent here in the US and worldwide
will celebrate the holiday of Kwanzaa, created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga of
Cal State Long Beach.
According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili
phrase ‘matunda ya kwanza,’ meaning ‘first fruits of the harvest,’ or simply ‘first
fruits.’ Swahili was chosen as the language of Kwanzaa because it is something
of a pan-African lingua franca and because the acceptance of Swahili as an
international language acknowledged the decolonization of numerous African
nations in the 1950s and 60s.
Kwanzaa is a value-centered holiday with roots in the Black Nationalist
movement of the 1960s. Karenga believed that the African-American community in
the US needed a positive identity and fundamental set of values that were based
on the moral and ethical ideals of its home and parent culture, both of which
had been stripped from the men and women forcibly brought to the New World.
By annually uniting in meditation and study of the African
traditions of Nguzo Saba, the “Seven Principles” which Karenga called “a communitarian
African Philosophy,” a cultural renewal is effected capable of sustaining the
spiritual energy needed to make progress in the face of racism,
disenfranchisement, and social inequality. Speaking at the height of the Civil
Rights movement, Karenga noted that the fight for social justice before
anything needed a spiritual focus: “The cultural revolution,” said Karenga, “gives
identity, purpose and direction.”
The celebration neither promotes nor reflects any particular
religion, and while the Seven Principles on the surface feel universal, a
reflection on the history of African-descended people here and abroad helps
understand why Karenga chose these particular values, and the resonance they have
within the communities of the African Diaspora.
The Nguzo Saba are celebrated one per day in the order given
below:
Umoja (Unity): The focus here is to think about unity on
several fronts, including family, community, nation, and race. Unity values
what people have in common while recognizing the contributions made by their differences.
Kujichagulia (Self-determination): Here the point is that
people should have the right to give themselves a name, take credit for their
own ideas and contributions to society, and use their own voices in forming
their society and deciding on what is ethical and right.
Ujima (Collective work and responsibility): The form of a
community is the right and responsibility of all members. No one should suffer
alone, and neither should any one person receive the spoils of work that is the
result of community effort.
Ujamaa (Cooperative economics): Businesses, shops, and
professions need to understand that while competition improves the quality of
goods and services, the needs of human beings and the maintenance of a level
playing field creates the healthiest environment for all community members.
Nia (Purpose): The collective vocation of a community is the
building and development of the community in order to restore people of African
descent to “traditional greatness.” This value recognizes that beyond the
mission of individual business and practitioners, the greater purpose of the
community should be replace worn-out stereotypes held even by the most
well-meaning (non-African) people regarding African peoples. Africa has a rich
history of sophisticated societies and intellectual development, but the impoverishment
of the African Diaspora, most often the result of institutional racism,
negatively informs public discourse about Africans and African-Americans in
particular. African-Americans’ views of themselves have not entirely escaped the
debilitating effects of the negative images held by non-Africans. The
‘traditional greatness” sought, therefore is as much about African-descended
communities resuscitating their own self-esteem as it is about positively
changing the worldview of non-Africans.
Kuumba (Creativity): All the community is encouraged to
participate fully, using the particular strengths and talents bestowed upon
individuals. Every generation should strive to leave the community more
beautiful and better working than they found it. Whether it be through the
arts, engineering, economics, professional development, or any other endeavor,
individuals either alone or on cooperation should understand the role their
indispensible efforts play. Community is not a concept, but a living organism
that requires conscious and deliberate effort; moreover, everyone has something
to bring to the table, and should.
Imani (Faith): This is about faith in people—about parents,
teachers, and leaders. Implied also is that respect is due to those who have
come before, who have learned the hard lessons, and who desire to pass on their
knowledge. It is also about faith in the ultimate victory against inequality. If
there is no hope that the world will someday value all beings equally and
without prejudice, everything else is just going through the motions. For some
reason, people the world over and throughout history have invented ways to be
better than someone else. A world where that is no longer true is a vision
truly to be sought.
On any given evening of Kwanzaa, a Karamu, or feast, is
held. Gifts can be given, though mainly to children, but must always include a
book and a heritage symbol. The book is to emphasize the African value and tradition
of learning stressed since ancient Egypt, and the heritage symbol to reaffirm
and reinforce the African commitment to tradition and history.
The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. Decorations
should include traditional African items, for example, African baskets, cloth
patterns, art objects, harvest symbols, and such. The greeting for each day of
Kwanzaa is ‘Habari Gani?’ which is Swahili for “How are you?”
This year’s Kwanzaa theme is “Practicing the Principles of
Kwanzaa: Repairing, Renewing, and Remaking Our World.” Every year the
Afro-American Cultural and Historical Society, a cultural and historical
society based in the Hayward and Tri-Cities area, sponsors a Kwanzaa
celebration. This year it will take place on Friday December 9 at Palma Ceia
Baptist Church in Hayward. There will be displays of crafts and a program of
drumming and poetry, followed by a Karamu Feast.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Friday, Dec 9, 2017
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Displays and Crafts
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Program
Palma Ceia Baptist Church –Bennett Hall
28605 Rufus Rd, Hayward
For more information: (510) 471-9040 or www.aachsi.com
Free
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