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KWANZAA - A Family Oriented Cultural Celebration Kwanzaa is not a black Christmas. It is the only nonreligious, non-persona identified cultural holiday celebrated in the African-American community. Kwanzaa can be practiced by any one of any faith. It is the embodiment of the commonalities of the African tradition. Kwanzaa is a way of life, not just a once in a year occurrence. Kwanzaa was organized in 1966 by Dr. Malauna Karenga, who felt there should be a vehicle to educate African Americans and others about the diversity and unity of African culture, while also fomenting a pride in one’s cultural achievements. In 1966 Dr. Karenga visited Africa. While there, he participated in naming ceremonies, births, deaths, commemorations, celebrations of all types. Kwanzaa is a synthesis of the best of what traditional Africa has to offer and the best of the Western experience that Africans in America have to offer. Kwanzaa celebrates the collective experience rather than an individual achievement. It is currently celebrated in Africa, Britain, South America (Brazil), and the United As part of the Africa Initiative's outreach and connection with the African-American community, Kwanzaa programs are organized. They are free and open to thepublic. In the late fall of the year, AFSC supports the creation of a city-wide Kwanzaa calendar, and supports participation in the schools through presenting Kwanzaa materials to Akron Public School students, PTAs, fraternities, sororities, and agencies. The Philosophical Basis of Kwanzaa The philosophical basis of Kwanzaa is the Kawaida (ka-waa-ee-da) part of a black value system. The seven principles of kawaida, when practiced together form the basis of a productive lifestyle. Seven is significant in the holiday. There are seven Kwanzaa items, seven candles to light. An integral part of the kawaida are the seven levels of blackness. Consider them as concentric circles beginning at the center, moving outward. They are: self, family and household, community, neighborhood, nation/race, and world. As one supports a new level within this structure, increasingly, there is a higher level of responsibility. In Africa, there are three harvest periods. Kwanzaa is named after the first harvest period. This time makes sense also in that December 26 signals the sale period in many department stores. Kwanzaa is a time for children as well as their families to exchange the Zawadi (za-waa-dee) or gifts given on the last night, which can be purchased economically during this period. Becoming aware of, and critically using the untapped spending power of the African-American community, is part of the empowerment process within Kwanzaa.
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Akron African American Cultural Association December 26, Tuesday - UMOJA (Unity) December 27, Wednesday - KUJICHAGULIA (Self-Determination) December 28, Thursday - UJIMA (Collective Work & Responsibility) December 29, Friday - UJAMAA (Cooperative Economics) December 30, Saturday - NIA (Purpose) December 31, Sunday - KUUMBAA (Creativity) January 1, Monday - IMANI (Faith) The following are the names and meaning of the days celebrated during Kwanzaa: •UMOJA (oo-mo-ja) Unity. To strive for and maintain unity in all of our efforts. Without unity, there is nothing. • KUJICHAGULIA (koo-gee-cha-goo-lee-ah) Self-Determination. To define, name, create, and speak for ourselves. • UJIMA (oo-gee-ma) Collective Work & Responsibility. To build, maintain, and support the Black community, make our sister's and brother's • UJAMAA (oo-ja-ma) Cooperative Economics. To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from • NIA (nee-ah) Purpose. To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to • KUUMBAA (koo-oom-bah) Creativity. To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community • IMANI (e-man-ee) Faith. To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. This information provided by the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee |
© Northeast
Ohio American Friends Service Committee 2006 |