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KWANZAA OBSERVANCE:

Holiday in brief: 

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration held in the United States and also celebrated in the Western African Disapora in other nations of the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture. Is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. Kawnzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba) It was created by Maulana Karenga, and was first celebrated in 1966-67.

During the early years of Kwanzaa it was meant to be an "oppositional alternative" to Christmas. However, as Kwanzaa gained mainstream followers, it's position was altered so that practicing Christians would not be alienated. Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa, do so in addition to observing Christmas.

PRINCIPLES AND SYMBOLS:

> UMOJA (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

> KUJICHAGULIA (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

> UJIMA (Collective work and responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together

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> UJAMAA (Cooperative economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

> NIA (Purpose): To make our collective vocation, the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

> KUUMBA (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than when we inherited.

> IMANI (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

SYMBOLS:

 A decorative mat (Mkeka) on which other symbols are placed, such as: corn (Muhindi) and other crops, a candle holder kinara with seven candles (Mishumaa Saba), a communal cup for libation (Kikombe cha Umoja), gifts (Zawadi), a poster of the seven principles, and a black, red, and green flag. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles.

OBSERVANCE:

Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art: colorful African cloth such as kente, especially the wearing of kaftans by women; and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. Children are included in Kwanzaa ceremonies to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. Libations are shared, generally with a common chalice, (Kikombe cha Umoja), passed around to all celebrants. The holiday greeting is "Joyous Kwanzaa". A ceremony may also include drumming and musical selections.

Cultural exhibitions include the Spirit of Kwanzaa, an annual celebration, held at the JFK Center for the Performing Arts, featuring interpretive dance, African dance, song and poetry.

The holiday has also spread to Canada and is celebrated by Black Canadians in a similar fashion as in the United States.

Have a safe and meaningful Kwanzaa and remember the greeting for each day, "Habari Gani (what's the news?)

(Content excerpted from Wikipedia)

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