Celebrating Kwanzaa: Reconnecting With Our Culture
“A snowflake is one of
God’s most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick
together”!-Author Unknown
The survival of any civilization is strongly connected to the adherence of traditions and mores, as well as how well that society adjusts to changes. The Caribbean, particularly Jamaica undoubtedly has a strong Judeo- Christian culture which has influenced and shaped how we chose to celebrate important culturally milestones. However, in spite of this, there is a growing trend among people of African descent to embrace our historically references as it relates to Africa; one such linkage to the Motherland is that of Kwanzaa.
The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means ‘first fruits’ in Swahili. Kwanzaa is a week long holiday honoring African culture and traditions. Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States of America as a ritual to welcome the first harvest to the home. Since then the celebrations have gained acceptance and popularity among many African American communities and culturally space. Kwanzaa is a non-religious celebration which serves to celebrate cultural reaffirmation among people of African descent. Kwanzaa falls between December 26 and January 1 each year. While many of us continue to seek the ‘truth; the celebration of “Africanness” is most welcomed given the tendency for people of colour to readily embrace foreign cultures. The celebration of Kwanzaa is a family oriented festival in which candles are lit and libations are poured. A libation is the name given to a ritual pouring to a god. A wooden unity cup is often used to pour the libations.
A Kwanzaa ceremony often includes performances of music and drumming, and draws inspiration from Pan-Africanism symbolized in the colours of red, green and black.
Red is the colour of Shango, the Yoruba god of fire, thunder and lightning. Green represents the earth which sustains life and black depicts the people representing hope and creativity and faith. It is customarily at a Kwanzaa festivity for women to be adorned in brightly coloured traditional clothing. As a matter of course some cultural organization hold special exhibitions of African influenced art or performances during the celebrations of Kwanzaa.
Historically, the observers of Kwanzaa were strict to their beliefs and did not mix any elements of other festivals into their celebrations. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly common for celebrants of Kwanzaa to infuse Christmas or New Year celebrations. Interestingly, the main symbols of Kwanzaa are the ‘Mkeka’, or place mat is made from straw or cloth and is symbolic in laying the foundation for self-actualization on which to put the objects needed for the celebrations, the unity cup is used to pour libations to the ancestor, a candle holder reminds believers in the ancestral beginnings in one of the 55 African countries. The seven candles serves as a reminder of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the corn signifies children and the hope associated with in the younger generation. Last but by no means least gifts represent commitments of the parents of the children. It is routine to have a celebration of culinary delights on December 31.
Principles of Kwanzaa
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, co-operative economics, purpose, creativity ad earth. The principles called the Nguzo Saba are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African- Americans.
It is noteworthy that the Kwanzaa flag consists of three colours. Additionally, there are five common sets of values associated with Kwanzaa. These are ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment and celebration. The candle- lighting ceremony each evening provides the opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of the festivity. On the first night the black candle in the center is lit and the principle of unity is discussed.
While Kwanzaa is not overwhelmingly observed in Jamaica at this time it can be argued that as more and more Jamaicans seek to reconnect to their African culture and traditions through productive work in order to better themselves, their families and the wider community it is likely that we will witness the growth of Kwanzaa throughout the region.
In the powerful words of Herman Melville, “we cannot live only for ourselves. A thousands fibers connects us with our fellow men”
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
#Kwanzaa #Christmas #culture #religion #Africa #Jamaica #Caribbean #AfricanaStudies #BlackHistory
The survival of any civilization is strongly connected to the adherence of traditions and mores, as well as how well that society adjusts to changes. The Caribbean, particularly Jamaica undoubtedly has a strong Judeo- Christian culture which has influenced and shaped how we chose to celebrate important culturally milestones. However, in spite of this, there is a growing trend among people of African descent to embrace our historically references as it relates to Africa; one such linkage to the Motherland is that of Kwanzaa.
The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means ‘first fruits’ in Swahili. Kwanzaa is a week long holiday honoring African culture and traditions. Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States of America as a ritual to welcome the first harvest to the home. Since then the celebrations have gained acceptance and popularity among many African American communities and culturally space. Kwanzaa is a non-religious celebration which serves to celebrate cultural reaffirmation among people of African descent. Kwanzaa falls between December 26 and January 1 each year. While many of us continue to seek the ‘truth; the celebration of “Africanness” is most welcomed given the tendency for people of colour to readily embrace foreign cultures. The celebration of Kwanzaa is a family oriented festival in which candles are lit and libations are poured. A libation is the name given to a ritual pouring to a god. A wooden unity cup is often used to pour the libations.
A Kwanzaa ceremony often includes performances of music and drumming, and draws inspiration from Pan-Africanism symbolized in the colours of red, green and black.
Red is the colour of Shango, the Yoruba god of fire, thunder and lightning. Green represents the earth which sustains life and black depicts the people representing hope and creativity and faith. It is customarily at a Kwanzaa festivity for women to be adorned in brightly coloured traditional clothing. As a matter of course some cultural organization hold special exhibitions of African influenced art or performances during the celebrations of Kwanzaa.
Historically, the observers of Kwanzaa were strict to their beliefs and did not mix any elements of other festivals into their celebrations. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly common for celebrants of Kwanzaa to infuse Christmas or New Year celebrations. Interestingly, the main symbols of Kwanzaa are the ‘Mkeka’, or place mat is made from straw or cloth and is symbolic in laying the foundation for self-actualization on which to put the objects needed for the celebrations, the unity cup is used to pour libations to the ancestor, a candle holder reminds believers in the ancestral beginnings in one of the 55 African countries. The seven candles serves as a reminder of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the corn signifies children and the hope associated with in the younger generation. Last but by no means least gifts represent commitments of the parents of the children. It is routine to have a celebration of culinary delights on December 31.
Principles of Kwanzaa
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, co-operative economics, purpose, creativity ad earth. The principles called the Nguzo Saba are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African- Americans.
It is noteworthy that the Kwanzaa flag consists of three colours. Additionally, there are five common sets of values associated with Kwanzaa. These are ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment and celebration. The candle- lighting ceremony each evening provides the opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of the festivity. On the first night the black candle in the center is lit and the principle of unity is discussed.
While Kwanzaa is not overwhelmingly observed in Jamaica at this time it can be argued that as more and more Jamaicans seek to reconnect to their African culture and traditions through productive work in order to better themselves, their families and the wider community it is likely that we will witness the growth of Kwanzaa throughout the region.
In the powerful words of Herman Melville, “we cannot live only for ourselves. A thousands fibers connects us with our fellow men”
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
#Kwanzaa #Christmas #culture #religion #Africa #Jamaica #Caribbean #AfricanaStudies #BlackHistory
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