A Brief History of the Kwanzaa Holiday and Six Amazing Facts
Beginning on December 26, the day after Christmas, through January 1st every year, is the festival of Kwanzaa. Originated in 1966 by a CSU Long Beach professor, Dr. Maulana Karenga, created Kwanzaa as an African-American holiday to give blacks an alternative to Christmas and not to have to continue to practice what is established as well to honor and understand their own culture and heritage. Karenga, a powerful leader of the 1960s-1970s Black Power Movement, believed strongly that before a violent revolution can occur there must first be a cultural revolution, which gives identity, purpose, and direction for the fight against oppression and racism. He created the festival of Kwanzaa after witnessing the atrocious attacks of the Watt Riots.
In the origins of Kwanzaa, Karenga saw Jesus as psychotic and that Christianity a "White Religion" was meant to dominate blacks and thus should be shunned. Later on, as the holiday became more mainstream, he altered his views on this, allowing for those who celebrate Christmas to also honor Kwanzaa. It was then stated that Kwanzaa was not meant to replace Christmas, was not religious but secular, and was not political.
Karenga used the word "Kwanza", a Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" meaning "first fruits", which aligns with the First Fruits festival celebrated in Africa during the southern solstice. An extra "A" was added to the original spelling to co-relate with the seven days of the holiday.
Each of the seven days honors a certain principle of the celebration. Beginning on December 26th with the principle Umoja (Unity, the intention is to seek unity within family, community, nation, and race. The second day, December 27th, Kujichagula (Self Determination) is the set aside to focus on how one identifies and validates within and without. The third day, December 28th, is Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) is intended to help in the building up of community and resolving each others problems collectively. The fourth day, December 29, is Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) has the focus of maintaining healthy businesses and collaborating for their success. The fifth day, Nia (Purpose) sets the intention to collectively build up and develop the strength of community so that the people can regain their power. On December 31st, the fifth day, Kuumba (Creativity) celebrants focus on doing whatever they can to leave their community and world more beautiful. Finally, the last day, January 1st, is Imani (Faith) which calls upon one to put their faith in their people, their community, those seeking righteousness in their struggles.
Each evening a candle is lit and a discussion is held corresponding to the principal of the day.
Kwanzaa also has seven symbols in conjunction with the principles.
Mazao is the symbol representing the crops and the rewards for productivity and collective labor. Mkeka is known as The Mat and symbolizes the foundation of one's tradition and history. Muhindi or Vibunzi is the representation of the ear of corn which shows the abundance that children can bring to the future. Mishumaa Saba, the Seven Candles of kwanzaa, is the reminder to meditate on the seven principles. Kinara as the Candle Holder encourages the celebrant to remember always their ancestry. The Unity Cup, known as Kikombe Cha Umoja, is passed around during the Karamu Feast held on December 29th connecting all in the gift of unity. On the final day of Kwanzaa, the Zawadi (gifts) are distributed that encourage the incorporation of the seven principles throughout the year.
Articles used as reference:
No comments:
Post a Comment