Posted on 12/28/2014 6:14:26 PM PST by lightman
Kwanzaa's roots stretch from York to Africa
Kwanzaa's roots from York to Africa
By Rebecca Hanlon
For the Daily Record/Sunday News Updated: 12/28/2014 04:02:22 PM EST
Maulana Ron Karenga, a 1958 William Penn Senior High School graduate, created Kwanzaa in 1966 as a way for those of African descent to explore their culture and bring good into the world.
As an Afrocentric scholar, Karenga has said he hoped Kwanzaa would give people a deeper African-American consciousness and a sense of community within ancient African culture. The holiday kicked off Friday and will run through Jan. 1, with different celebrations and cultural traditions highlighted with each day.
These days, the tradition of Kwanzaa is celebrated in numerous ways. The annual Kwanzaa festival at Crispus Attucks in York not only embraces African cultures, but the many cultures fund in York, said Holly Gould,programs manager.
We need to come together for common needs in our community," Gould said. "Kwanzaa helps us remember that we have a responsibility to our community and to each other."
For those who want to adopt Kwanzaa traditions, it's easy to get started, Gould said. Here, we share some basic tips for how to start your own Kwanzaa celebration. Decorate with symbols
The symbols of Kwanzaa can be used as decorations throughout the home during the holiday. These items remind people of traditional African culture and heritage. Put a green tablecloth over a table and on top of that place the Mkeka, a straw or woven mat that symbolizes the historical foundation of African ancestry. Place the rest of the symbols on the Mkeka: Mazao (mah-ZAH-oh) are the fruits and vegetables of the harvest, symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor.
Kinara (kee-NAH-rah) is the candleholder with places for seven candles. This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people — continental Africans.
Muhindi (moo-HIN-dee) are the ears of dry corn, one for each child in the household. This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.
Mishumaa Saba (mee-shu-MAH SAH-bah) are the seven candles (one black, three red and three green),
symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, and the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.
Kikombe cha Umoja (kee-KOM-bay CHA OO-MOH-jah) is the unity cup, symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible. It is used to pour a libation called tambiko in honor of the ancestors.
Zawadi (zah-WAH-dee) are the gifts parents give to their children — symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children. Gifts are given on the final night of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa flags, or Bendera, are posters that illustrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa. These posters can be purchased or made at home. Instructions for how to make your own Bendera can be found out www.crayola.com/crafts/kwanzaa-flag-craft/.
The feast of Kwanzaa, or Kwanzaa Karamu, is on New Year's Eve. During the feast, drinks are shared from one cup, the Kikombe cha Umoja. The cup is a symbol of unity and shared purpose — one of the greatest principles of the celebration. After the feast, gifts are exchanged. If you go
Crispus Attucks is holding an educational program about Kwanzaa at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Crispus Attucks York, 605 S. Duke St. The event is free to the public. It includes food and entertainment.
The Seven Principles
On the last day of Kwanzaa, which falls on New Year's Day, gifts are given. Most of the gifts are of a creative or artistic nature because of the meaning of Kuumba, which is creativity.
The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa)
One of the seven principles of Kwanzaa is recited each night of the celebration. A candle is lit on the Kinara as a symbol of the roots of tradition. The principles are:
Umoja (Unity) Dec. 26: To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-determination) Dec. 27: To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) Dec. 28: To build and maintain our community together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) Dec. 29: To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose) Dec. 30: To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community.
Kuumba (Creativity) Dec. 31: To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful.
Imani (Faith) Jan. 1: To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. Practice Kwanzaa greetings
"Habari Gani" is an old Swahili greeting that means, "What is the news?" When someone is asked this question, they are to respond with the principle for that day.
Dec. 26: "Umoja" - Unity.
Dec. 27: "Kujichagulia" - Self-determination.
Dec. 28: "Ujima" - Collective work and responsibility.
Dec. 29: "Ujamaa" - Cooperative economics.
Dec. 30: "Nia" - Purpose.
Dec. 31: "Kuumba" - Creativity.
Jan. 1: "Imani" - Faith..
Non African-Americans are also welcome to participate in greetings. The typical response is "Joyous Kwanzaa."
Source: http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org.
(And a really big soldering iron)
Free water with all the detergent you can eat!
Each year, kwanza fades more and more. In five years people will say ‘Kwanza? What?’ It’s a good thing.
Makes me so proud to live in York. (sarc)
Little Black Sambo was Indian (the subcontinent, not the baseball team) not African or African-American.
Hey! Leave the Festivus Pole out of it or I'll challenge you in a "Feats of Strength"!
So that-s it Kwanzaa are just celebrating the airing of grievances
So that-s it Kwanzaa are just celebrating the airing of grievances
Good. It’s Yamomma day. We celebrate this Kwanzaa day by telling jokes about people’s mothers.
Yes, I know the origin of Little Black Sambo being Indian and not African, but many Indians and Africans have very dark skin colors and were both portrayed as “black”.
As I recall (well over 50 years ago), the Little Golden Book really didn’t make the distinction between the two continents. Little Black Sambo was just, well, black. The tiger that turned into butter wasn’t identified as being from India or Africa, either.
Remember Sambo’s coffee shops? I recall their murals being non conclusive as to Sambo’s origin as well. But that was in the early 1970s, so these memories aren’t recent either.
Even St. Patrick's Day is a day when we're all welcomed to be Irish.
Until the hangover wears off...
There certainly is no shortage of an anti-white bias among the lower echelons of black societies. It even extends to an anti-black bias if those blacks happen to become successful or (shudder) conservative.
I have two mixed race nieces who are constantly accused of acting/talking/being "white" (spit here) because of their complete rejection the ghetto mannerisms and lifestyle.
And do I even have to bring up Reverends White, Jackson, or Sharpton at this point?
Are there tigers in Africa?
Do you mean the Sambo’s family restaurants? They were named for their owners - Sam and Bob.
I do, indeed. at the one on Sixth Street in Los Angeles, if you ordered coffee, you could never drain your cup--the wait staff was so efficient that they would keep it full.
I believe the only Sambo's left is in Santa Barbara, Calif.
It was a dig at white female schoolteachers also. A twofer, if you will.
TONY SNOW EXPOSED THIS BS YEARS AGO. SHOWS HOW THE MEDIA WILL DO ANYTHING FOR AFFIRMATIVE WHITE HATERS.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.