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.
I’m always amazed how black people will throw Jesus Christ under the bus in a heartbeat if it means they can become a Musilm or anything at all they see as anti-white people.
What they seem to be worshiping is hate
If that's what you are, that's where you belong.
Maybe Sharpton and the other professional racists can call for a cease-fire in Chicago and other garden spots during Kwanzaa like the Muzzies do for Ramadam (a-ding-dong).
s/. probably won’t happen
Is this something to be proud of?
I think “Kwanzaa” is a bullshit holiday, sort of like Groundhog Day.
In LA, CBS Station Pretends There Was a Real Kwanzaa Parade Yesterday
Except, there WAS no "parade" -- every word of the report was FALSE!
As far as I am concerned, this is all just happy horseshit!
Another great article on “Kwanza.” http://archive.frontpagemag.com/Printable.aspx?ArtId=20509
Google “Frontpagemag,” and there are a plethora of great articles on this piece of crap called a “holiday.” This is one of the best articles among others. Just another example of trash being reported as something other than it is. Even the conservative Salem radio network is reporting a bunch of crap regarding this fabricated “holiday.”
What’s funny, is I’m SURE more White people know about Kwanzaa than Blacks do. (due to ‘white guilt’ complex)
I bet I could walk up to 10 random Black people in America, and I’d be LUCKY if even ONE of them knew what in the hell Kwanzaa means.
Groundhog Day is far more authentic.
Kawanza is like so much of the black urban subculture, worthless, much to do about nothing at all
This is true...
I didn’t mean to diminish Ground Hog Day. Was just using it as an example. lol
Is there an herbicide on the market for this?
Went to a Unitarian Church with my sister.
Really bad.
Had a sermon ‘bout “How to Greet the Sun.”
When they got to part about an Aztec (or Incan or Mayan - something like that) priest greeting the sun hymn, I just barely restrained myself from jumping up and yelling “before ripping the still beating heart from the victim’s chest and offering it!”
Unitarians don’t have religion. They have some sort of really weird group therapy.
I always say they should call themselves the “Church of Seinfeld”, a church about nothing.
Kwanzaa's roots are as deep as a birdbath.
Do they believe in Unicorns?
Calendar publishers. Even Paternal Mineral’s 2015 VFW calendar has it on it.
Don't try to tell an afrocentric that though. He/she/it will assure you that you are racist.
I saw that happen when an anthropologist tried to explain that horses evolved in the New World, were hunted to eradication by prehistoric indigenous peoples and were unknown here when the Spaniards brought modern horses with them.
An "afrocentric scholar" who was present acted like he was a genocidal maniac, because you see everything worthwhile originated in Africa, including the first airplanes.
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