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Last Updated on Thursday, 22 December 2016, 7:05 by Denis Chabrol
Kwanzaa is an African cultural holiday. 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 Swahil|
This year, as usual, ACDA’s our community feast or gathering will take place on Monday December 26th which is the first day of Kwanzaa Umoja (Unity). On this day the entire community assesses its failures and accomplishments, and establishes goals for the upcoming year, in achieving the principles of Kwanzaa. Elders, youths, and other persons who have upheld any of the principles are honored accordingly.Since Kwanzaa is a family oriented celebration, the entire family is expected to participate. The program starts at 11 AM at ACDA’s headquarters, Thomas Road, Thomas Lands.
Admission is free. Cultural food is on sale.
Kwanzaa was initially put into motion by Dr. Maulana Karenga, in the year 1966. Kwanzaa builds on the five fundamental activities of Continental African “first fruit” celebrations: in gathering; reverence; commemoration; re-commitment; and celebration.
Kwanzaa is a time of gathering for family and community coming together where people can renew and reinforce bonds between them. It is a time of special reverence for the Creator and creation, both a thanksgiving for the earth and a re-commitment to protect and preserve it.
– 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 re-commitment 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 principles of Kwanzaa are : 1. Umoja/Unity…2..Kujichagulia/ Self-Determination.3. Ujima/Collective work and responsibility. 4. Ujama/Cooperative Economics 5. Nia/Purpose. 6. Kuumba/Creativity 7. Imani/Faith
On the morn of the 26th, the entire family gathers around the Kwanzaa table. Libations are offered to the creator and ancestors.. The family then discusses their failures and achievements in fostering unity in the family and community over the past year. The candle of Umoja is then lit. It is important that the children and elders participate in the ceremony with the view of bridging the generational gap, thus continuing the tradition. If anyone has exemplified this principle during the previous year, Zwadis or gifts are given.
This ceremony is repeated with each principle being the center of discussing for the next seven days.