Added: 12/13/2005 |
Kwanza Means Love And FellowshipIn the mid-1960's the African-American population was struggling to find its identity. The black power movement was in full swing. Martin Luther King was a spokes person for peace. The March on Washington, Equality and equal rights were all things that the black man was fighting for. In the middle of this upheaval for human rights came the celebration of kwanza. Kwanza is Africa. It is the word of the people, the idea that brings a culture together. The foundation of kwanza rests on what is commonly referred to as Nguzo Sabaor "the seven principals".
The first of the principals of kwanza in Unity, the second is Self-Determination, the third principal is Collective Work and Responsibility, the fourth is Cooperative Economics, the fifth principal is Purpose, the sixth is Creativity and the seventh principal is Faith.
The kwanza celebration happens to fall between December 26th and January 1st. And as such many people feel it's a replacement celebration for Christmas holiday. That is not true. Kwanza is a traditional celebration of the African spirit. It comes as no surprise then, that during the black man's struggle for equality and recognition, the concept of kwanza was recognized as a vessel that presented real life lessons on who the African-American cultural could respect its past while building its future.
Thus in 1966, Kwanzaa was established by was Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of black studies at California State University. Karenga added an extra "a" to give it its own identity and not have it be confused with its African cousin. None the less, Karenga recognized that Kwanzaa like its distant brother kwanza was a tool that the black community in America needed.
The celebration of kwanza day has its own elements. The roots of which are shared with other cultures. For example, a candle holder or Kinara; a placemat for praying known as a Mkeka , fruits and vegetables for the feast known as Mazao; the sacred cup or Kikombe cha umoja used during the church service, the seven candles which reflect the seven principals mentioned earlier and known as Mishumaa saba and finally the exchange of gifts which are called Zawadi.
During kwanzaa day all the symbols which represent the seven principals of kwanza are traditionally placed in the home and in full view. A person's home should also reflect the colors of kwanzaa day which are black, red and green.
The gift of giving is an important part of kwanza and kwanzaa day. And is probably where many of the parallels to Christmas come from. The truth is, that gift giving is a virtue of the African culture. Traditionally, the exchange of gifts is meant to bring personal satisfaction. Gift giving during the kwanzaa day celebration takes place on January 1st and not December 25th. However, true to its nature, gift giving can occur at any time.
THE KWANZAA Feast is held on the last day of December and is meant to bring the African population closer to its roots. Whether settled in Africa or the United States, the kwanza celebration has done what it was intended to do. It has united a cultural that needed a reason for being. Today kwanza is celebrated and practiced by nearly 20 million men and women. It truly is fellowship in the grander sense of the word.
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