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Theme -- 2005:

Kwanzaa: A Season of Celebration,

Meditation and Recommitment

Kwanzaa: Roots and Branches

The Continental African Roots
Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Celebrated from 26 December thru 1 January, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the most widely spoken African language.

The first-fruits celebrations are recorded in African history as far back as ancient Egypt and Nubia and appear in ancient and modern times in other classical African civilizations such as Ashantiland and Yorubaland. These celebrations are also found in ancient and modern times among societies as large as empires (the Zulu or kingdoms (Swaziland) or smaller societies and groups like the Matabele, Thonga and Lovedu, all of southeastern Africa. Kwanzaa builds on the five fundamental activities of Continental African "first fruit" celebrations: ingathering; reverence; commemoration; recommitment; and celebration. Kwanzaa, then, is:


a time of ingathering of the people to reaffirm the bonds between them;

a time of special reverence for the creator and creation in thanks and respect for the blessings, bountifulness and beauty of creation;

a time for commemoration of the past in pursuit of its lessons and in honor of its models of human excellence, our ancestors;

a time of recommitment to our highest cultural ideals in our ongoing effort to always bring forth the best of African cultural thought and practice; and

a time for celebration of the Good, the good of life and of existence itself, the good of family, community and culture, the good of the awesome and the ordinary, in a word the good of the divine, natural and social.
The African American Branch

Rooted in this ancient history and culture, Kwanzaa develops as a flourishing branch of the African American life and struggle as a recreated and expanded ancient tradition. Thus, it bears special characteristics only an African American holiday but also a Pan-African one, For it draws from the cultures of various African peoples, and is celebrated by millions of Africans throughout the world African community. Moreover, these various African peoples celebrate Kwanzaa because it speaks not only to African Americans in a special way, but also to Africans as a whole, in its stress on history, values, family, community and culture.

Kwanzaa was established in 1966 in the midst of the Black Freedom Movement and thus reflects its concern for cultural groundedness in thought and practice, and the unity and self-determination associated with this. It was conceived and established to serve several functions.

Reaffirming and Restoring Culture

First, Kwanzaa was created to reaffirm and restore our rootedness in African culture. It is, therefore, an expression of recovery and reconstruction of African culture which was being conducted in the general context of the Black Liberation Movement of the '60's and in the specific context of The Organization Us, the founding organization of Kwanzaa and the authoritative keeper of its tradition. Secondly, Kwanzaa was created to serve as a regular communal celebration to reaffirm and reinforce the bonds between us as a people. It was designed to be an ingathering to strengthen community and reaffirm common identity, purpose and direction as a people and a world community. Thirdly, Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce the Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles.) These seven communitarian African values are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). This stress on the Nguzo Saba was at the same time an emphasis on the importance of African communitarian values in general, which stress family, community and culture and speak to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. And Kwanzaa was conceived as a fundamental and important way to introduce and reinforce these values and cultivate appreciation for them.


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Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor, Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, author and scholar-activist who stresses the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote African American culture.
Finally, it is important to note Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, thus available to and practiced by Africans of all religious faiths who come together based on the rich, ancient and varied common ground of their Africanness.

I want to make clear of the bolded area, because I think I made reference to this somewhere in this section of imix and I don't think many are aware of that. New Years used to be a time of seperation. Slaves were sold off on New Years Day and it was basically the breaking up of families. So New Year's was not always a happy time for our people, and we should always remember that.

The Day of Meditation
(Siku ya Taamuli)

The last day of Kwanzaa is the first day of the new year, January 1. Historically this has been for African people a time of sober assessment of things done and things to do, of self-reflection and reflection on the life and future of the people and of recommitment to their highest cultural values in a special way. Following in this tradition, it is for us then a time to ask and answer soberly and humbly the three Kawaida questions: Who am I; am I really who I say I am; and am I all I ought to be? And it is, of necessity, a time to recommit ourselves to our highest ideals, in a word, to the best of what it means to be both African and human in the fullest sense (Click Here for the Odu Ifa meditation).

This Day of Assessment or Day of Meditation is noted in the first-fruits celebration of the Akan by J. B. Danquah. He states that the Akan have one day during the first-fruits harvest in which they simply engage in quiet reflection. "The idea on this (day) is to maintain a quiet, humble and calm attitude with regard to oneself and towards one's neighbors." It is thus a good time for reassessment and recommitment on a personal and family level.
Closely related to this is an activity also noted by both Danquah and Sarpong, the Day of Remembrance of the ancestors or the Adae celebration. We referred to it above as Akwasidae, but one could also use one of the days of Kwanzaa to pay special homage to the ancestors, those of the national community and those of the family. And this Day of Remembrance may also be a part of the Day of meditation or more precisely, the Day of Assessment.

I've celebrated it a couple of times. Also my mother's church, Unitarian Universalist, celebrates it as well.

Are you going to go this year??


Just to let everyone know in the Brooklyn area, there's a Kwanzaa 2005 celebration here:

Medgar Evers College
People of the Sun-Middle Passage Colleection, MEC Student
Government, AKEEM colllection, NABA, African Heritage Club, Office of Student Life


Present

KWANAZAA 2005
Thursday, December 22nd

2:00pm-10:00pm

Medgar Evers College Gymnasium
1150 Carroll Street- Brooklyn


Shop in our African Market PLace

FREE**FREE ADMISSION** FREE**

Directions-B44 to Carroll St. train #2/#3 to President or Nostrand Ave

Naw, I am skipping the holidays entirely. Making money is my only priority. Need to stabilize myself after my move to Atlanta from NY.

Good luck... Well you can pass by and celebrate in here!

Washington DC Kwanzaa Events Calendar 2005-06

By Kwanzaa Planning Committee of UBC


* December 25th - Odwira Ancestral Akom Sponsored by the
Temple of Nyame, 949 Bonifant St. Silver Spring, MD 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Call (202) 678-3100 for more information.

UMOJA (Unity) - Mon., Dec. 26th

* Candle-lighting Celebration & Program; the Afrocentric Academic Challenge, Dinner Sales & African Market Place; 7:00 pm. Sponsored by the UBC & the Independent Afrikan Schools at Roots Public Charter School, 15 Kennedy St. NW. Call (301) 277-7809 or (202) 529-3635.

* 48th Annual Celebration Performance of the African Heritage Dancers & Drummers, 7:00 pm. New Art Recreation Center, Miss. & Southern Ave. SE. Call (202) 399-5252 for more information.

KUJICHAGULIA (Self-determination) - Tues., Dec. 27th

* Candle Lighting Service and Program, 7:30 pm. Sponsored by The Ausar Auset Society, at Kima Public Charter School, 100 Peabody St. NW. (202) 723-5566

UJIMA (Collective Work & Responsibility) - Wed., Dec. 28th

* Youth discussion on Pan Africanism & Hip-hop, 6:00 PM,
sponsored by United Black Community. Sweet Mango Cafe, 3701 New Hampshire Ave. NW DC. Call (202) 526-4039 or (202) 72-MANGO.

* Kwanzaa Candle-lighting Service sponsored by House of Ra
>Inner Attainment and Friends. Hip-Hop, Go-Go, Neo-Soul & Poetry. 7:00 pm. Sweet Mango Cafe, 3701 New Hampshire Ave. NW DC. Call (202) 368-5020 or (202) 72-MANGO.

UJAMAA (Cooperative Economics) - Thurs., Dec. 29th
* Candle Lighting Service & Program, 7:00 pm. Sponsored by Ujamaa Shule, 8th & Q Sts. NW. Call (202) 232-2997.

NIA (Purpose) - Fri., Dec. 30th

* Candle-lighting Service & Program, 7:00 pm. Sponsored by
The Universal Negro Improvement Association - African Communities League (UNIA-ACL) Div. 330. Roots Activity Learning Center, 6222 North Capitol St. NW. Feast, African market place, spoken word, featuring HERU and Hueman
Prophets etc. Call (202) 529-3635.

* Kwanzaa Harvest Festival, 7:00 pm. Sponsored by the Yoruba Temple. Mt. Ararat Outreach Center, 4809 Suitland Rd, Suitland, MD. Call (202) 667-0681

KUUMBA (Creativity) - Sat, Dec. 31st

* 35th Annual Kwanzaa Children's Celebration, Plymouth
Congregational Church, 5301 No. Capital St. NW. 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Sponsored by Kwanzaa Children's Party, Inc. & The Children and Youth Ministry Program. Ages 3 - 12, adult must accompany children. Call (202) 363-5887 or (202) 390-3164.

* Candle-lighting Service & Karamu (Feast), 7:30 pm, Spoken Word & Dance Music by Eric Lewis & Friends. Sponsored by UBC, Umoja House, 2015 Bunker Hill Road NE. Bring a wholesome African/natural food dish to share and come bring in the new year with us! Call (202) 526-4039 or (202) 529-3635.

IMANI (Faith) - Sun, Jan. 1st 2006

* Free The Land Annual Kwanzaa 3.1 mile - 5 mile Fun Run/Walk. 11 AM, Lake Artemesia Park, Greenbelt, MD. Call (202) 726-6960 for more information and directions.

* Kwanzaa Imani Celebration and African Consciousness Award Presentation, 7:00 pm. (This year's recipient: Tony Browder). NationHouse, 770 Park Road NW, sponsored by UBC & ADACI. Call (202) 526-4039 or (301) 277-7809.

THERE ARE SEVEN SYMBOLS OF KWANZAA

Mkeka (Straw Mat) - tradition and history; the foundation on which all else rests

Kinara (Candle Holder) - original stalk from which we come; our African ancestors

Mishumaa Saba (7 Candles) - Nguzo Saba; The Seven Principles firmly rooted in the traditions of our ancestors

Muhindi (Ears of Corn) - represents children and all the hopes and challenges attached to them.

Kikombe (Unity Cup)

Mazao (Crops) - the collective fruits of our labor

Zawadi (Gifts) - seeds sown by the children and rewards for our achievements

WHAT TO DO AND WHEN TO DO IT

December 19th - gather and arrange Kwanzaa symbols. Any other decorations (African carvings, straw baskets) should be in a red, black and green color scheme, symbolizing the bendera ya taifa (Flag of the Black Nation):
* Red - the liberation struggle of our people
* Black - the collective color of all Black people
* Green - land, life and our future (we build together).

Arrange the symbols on a low table as follows:
1. Spread the Mkeka
2. Place the Kinara in the center of the Mkeka
3. Place the Muhindi on either side of the Kinara, one ear of
corn for each child, or one as a symbol of prosperity
4. Creatively place the Zawadi, Kikombe, and a basket of Mazao on the Mkeka
5. Place 1 Black Mishumaa in the center of the Kinara, with 3 Green on the right, and 3 Red on the left.

DECEMBER 26th - JANUARY 1st

Greeting - greet each other in Kiswahili asking "Habari Gani?" (What's the news or what's happening?) Answer with the principle for that day. For example, on December 26th, respond with "Umoja." Economic Empowerment - only shop at Black-owned businesses during the seven days of Kwanzaa. In the spirit of Kwanzaa and Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) we as Afrikan people should support these same Black businesses, such as trade in the African marketplace in the calendar, all year round.

Fasting -- fast from sunrise to sunset to help cleanse the body, discipline the mind, and uplift the spirit.

Libation - (Ancestral Communion) an elder leader should pour
Libation, using water or juice, from the Kikombe into a bowl with leafy green vegetables, to honor our ancestors.

Candle Lighting Ceremony - light one Mishumaa each day for the principle of that day, beginning with the black candle, which represents the first principle Umoja. Each day thereafter, alternately light the red and then the green candles. After each lighting, discuss the principle of the day. The ceremony should be held at a time when all family members, especially children, can
participate.

Karamu (The Feast) - the Karamu is held on the night of December 31st, and should be a festive occasion. When possible, observe traditional African practices, e.g., African music, dance and storytelling, sitting on the floor or on pillows, and eating with the hands (no utensils). Libation, Candlelighting and Harambee are conducted at the Karamu.

Zawadi - (They should not be mandatory, expensive or excessive). It is suggested that Zawadi be given to the children in one or two ways:
1. One gift each day, reinforcing the principle of that day.
2. One or more gifts on January 1st, the last day of Kwanzaa. Personally made gifts are strongly encouraged over commercial purchases. Regardless of what else is given, there are two strongly suggested items: a book and heritage symbol. These two items reinforce our commitment to education and the richness of our cultural heritage.

The essence of Kwanzaa is a true appreciation of ourselves as Black People, collectively coming together to reflect on and enjoy the infinite beauty of being in the same family, group or organization, sharing the same values, interests and aspirations, engaging in and committing to the same struggle.

Asante Sana! (Thank You Very Much) And Have A Happy, Wholesome, and
Peaceful Kwanzaa.
The United Black Community

am i the only one who just heard of this holiday?

well there's some others in thread who've heard of it, but I'm sure you're not alone, I've introduced Kwanzaa to quite a few people this year.






Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance, and is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.

Umoja (oo-MO-jah) Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."
Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) Self-Determination requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.
Ujima (oo-GEE-mah) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world.
Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.
Nia (NEE-yah) Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.
Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.
Imani (ee-MAH-nee) Faith focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.


blessings!! Honeyempress...

You ask: habari gani?

The answer: Kujichagulia!!!



The greetings during Kwanzaa are in Swahili. Swahili is a Pan-African language and is chosen to reflect African Americans' commitment to the whole of Africa and African culture rather than to a specific ethnic or national group or culture. The greetings are to reinforce awareness of and commitment to the Seven Principles. It is: "Habari gani?" and the answer is each of the principles for each of the days of Kwanzaa, i.e., "Umoja", on the first day, "Kujichagulia", on the second day and so on



NGUZO SABA
(The Seven Principles)


Umoja (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Today: 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 brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.
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 we inherited it.
Imani (Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Get from under your rock and go to some of the events. I garuntee you'll enjoy them!!

Most pretentious waste of time if ever there was....

whyso?