[NYAPRS Enews] Richie: The History of Kwanzaa and The 7 Principles

[Harvey Rosenthal]

NYAPRS Note: The following illuminating and timely piece comes from Jose
Richie, Administrator for the Western New York Peer Networking Group. 

 

The History of Kwanzaa  December 26th - January 1st

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Kwanzaa, an African-American holiday which celebrates family, community,
and culture, is the fastest growing holiday in the U.S. An estimated 18
million Africans celebrate Kwanzaa each year around the world, including
celebrants in the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, South America, especially
Brazil, Canada, India, Britain and numerous European countries. 

 

The holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a scholar-activist who
is currently professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at
California State University at Long Beach. Several cities in the U.S.
have issued proclamations in honor of the celebration of Kwanzaa. Among
them are Baltimore, Buffalo, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New Orleans,
New York, and Philadelphia. 

 

Kwanzaa as an African-American holiday belongs to the most ancient
tradition in the world, the African tradition. Drawing from and building
on this rich and ancient tradition, Kwanzaa makes its own unique
contribution to the enrichment and expansion of African tradition by
reaffirming the importance of family, community, and culture.

 

KWANZAA is based on ancient African harvest celebrations. The word
KWANZAA comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means
"first fruits." KWANZAA is celebrated seven days, from December 26th
through January 1st, a period which represents the end of an old year
and the beginning of a new one. This time in African culture is called
"the time when the edges of the year meet," which is a time of
celebration, focus, and assessment. 

 

African harvest celebrations have five basic aspects which KWANZAA also
shares. They are: 1) in gathering of the people; 2) special reverence
for the Creator and creation, especially thanksgiving and commitment; 3)
commemoration of the past, especially paying homage to the ancestors; 4)
re-commitment to our highest ethical and cultural values, especially
Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles); and 5) celebration of the Good of
life, especially family, community, and culture. 

 

The creation of Kwanzaa was to reaffirm African-Americans' rootedness in
African culture, to reinforce the bonds between them as a people, and to
introduce and reaffirm the value of the Nguzo Saba, The Seven Principles
of Kwanzaa. The central reason Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days is
to pay homage to The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa which in Swahili are:
Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani. The
principles are also known as The Seven Principles of African American
community development and serve as a fundamental value system. 

 

Kwanzaa is represented by seven symbols: Mazao (crops), Mkeka (mat),
Kinara (candle holder), Mishumaa Saba (seven candles), Muhindi (ears of
corn), Zawadi (gifts), and Kikombe Cha Umoja (unity cup). The candle
holder has seven candles, one black, three red and three green. The
colors are black for Black people, red for their struggle and green for
the hope and future that come from the struggle. 

 

Each ear of corn represents the children in the family and community.
The gifts are primarily for the children, but other family members can
also receive gifts. The gifts should include a book and a heritage
symbol to stress the ancient and continuing stress on the value of
education and reaffirm the importance of culture and tradition. The
unity cup is used to pour libation for the ancestors and it is drunk
from as a ritual to reinforce unity in the family and community. All
seven symbols are put on a Mkeka (straw mat). The Kwanzaa setting piece
which includes the seven symbols is placed on a table or any other
central location in the home. 

 

The lighting of the candles begins on the first day of Kwanzaa, December
26th. The black candle is the first candle lighted. The second day of
Kwanzaa, the black candle is relighted as well as the first candle to
the left, a red candle, December 27th. Each day every candle which has
been lighted is relighted along with the next candle of that day.
Candles are lighted left to right alternately. The lighting practice is
ordered to represent first the people (the black candle), then the
struggle (the red candle), then the future and hope (the green candle)
which comes from the struggle. 

December 31st is the evening upon which the Kwanzaa Karamu (Feast) is
held. This special evening is a time for feasting upon a variety of
African-influenced meals as well as acknowledging the importance of
history, culture, and family. 

 

When preparing for this special evening, special items, or symbols, are
necessary. There are seven symbols. These items should be displayed as
part of the Kwanzaa Karamu: 
1) Mazao (fruit and vegetables) 
2) Mkeka (place mat) 
3) Kinara (candle holder for seven candles) 
4) Vibunzi (ears of corn reflective of the number of children in the
home) 
5) Zawadi (gifts - usually for the children) 
6) Kikombe Cha Umoja (community cup) 
7) Mishumaa Saba (the seven candles) 

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