This year, Christmas in the Pacific Northwest is, well, Christmasy is cold, wet, blustery and gray. This type of weather makes the decorated homes and trees even more brilliant and cheery.
Of course, Christmas is not the only holiday celebrated this season. Hanukkah, the Jewish eight-day festival of lights also begins tonight, spreading more light with its candle lit menorahs.
Kwanzaa celebrations begin tomorrow night. I know very little about this particular celebration, so I looked it up.
Kwanzaa started in 1966, when Professor Maulana Karenga of California State University, Long Beach, created the holiday to reconnect African Americans with their cultural roots and traditions.
Kwanzaa is a one-of-a-kind holiday that celebrates prosperity and highlights individual family traditions. The name "Kwanzaa" is an adaptation of the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits of harvest.”
The first harvest has been celebrated in African history since ancient times, beginning with the Egyptians. It has been commemorated as a time to strengthen bonds between people, give thanks for the bountiful earth, honor past generations, commit to self-improvement, and rejoice for family and the many blessings of life.
This seven-day holiday is observed every year from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Families gather to celebrate, paying special homage and attention to seven core principles that honor pan-African culture.
Kwanzaa captures “mambo yote mazuri” or “all things beautiful.” During Kwanzaa’s weeklong celebration, families take time to reflect on the richness of the past, the potential of the present and the promise of the future.
Each night of Kwanzaa includes a family gathering dedicated to a different principle of the Nguzo Aba and lighting of the corresponding candle on the candle holder called “kinara.” Then the night unfolds with stories (often related to the principle), poetry, art, gifts and food.
Unity (Umoji): Tell stories of achievements that could not have been accomplished alone.
Self-determination (Kujichagulia): Consider snacking on caramel-covered apples to prompt a discussion about looking into the core of the self and finding strength within.
Collective work and responsibility (Ujima): This is the perfect night for a potluck. Everyone’s contribution shows the culmination of a few adds to something bigger, better and more meaningful.
Cooperative economics (Ujamaa): Remember to support black businesses and one another. Choose a black-owned business for tonight’s meal.
Purpose (Nia): This is a great time to focus on community and outreach. Consider inviting neighbors and serving baked treats, coffee and tea, or baking a loaf of bread for a friend who could use a pick-me-up.
Creativity (Kuumba): This is often the most exciting day. It’s all about color, music, eating and dance.
Faith (Imani): This is often a day of self-reflection that ends with the distribution of gifts. Focus on all that came before you, all that is around you and all that will come after you.
Traditional Kwanzaa celebrations center on a table set for the occasion. To create your own Kwanzaa table, you will want to:
Cover your table with your favorite African cloth.
Place a “mkeka,” or mat, on the table.
Center your kinara on the mat with your “mishumaa saba” ready to light.
Arrange your “first fruits” around the kinara. Fresh pears are a lovely addition to the Kwanzaa table. You will also want to include one ear of corn per child in the family. If you don’t have kids, you’ll still include one ear for the idea of social parenthood. Popcorn is also a great contemporary take on this tradition!
Place artisan-made, uplifting gifts on the table.
Don’t forget your “kikobe cha umoja,” a wooden cup used to remind us to give thanks to our ancestors.
During the winter solstice three diverse beliefs are celebrated with family members, lights, memories, table decorations and good food. Perhaps we are not so different after all.
Happy holidays!
4 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Grailking
Kwanzaa sounds like a great holiday. Thanks for enlightening me, Kathleen!
Wednesday, December 25, 2024 Report this
Southsoundguy
A totally fake holiday.
Thursday, December 26, 2024 Report this
ChuckCross
Thanks for sharing what you learned. You missed explaining just what "Nguzo Aba" is or was. Unity of cultural values on the African continent seems a stretch of the imagination.
Thursday, December 26, 2024 Report this
ViaLocal
Thank you for sharing information about this holiday. Kwanzaa is no more made up than Christmas, and it's important to recognize other values and beliefs.
Monday, December 30, 2024 Report this