Kwanzaa

Introduction

Swahili Words and Phrases Associated with Kwanzaa

When is Kwanzaa?

The Seven principles of Kwanzaa

How is Kwanzaa celebrated?

Symbols of Kwanzaa

The Kwanzaa Song

Odu Ifa Meditation

Kwanzaa Recipes

Kwanza Links and Recommended Readings

References

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Introduction

Kwanzaa seeks to enhance awareness of the past in order to deal with the present and the future more effectively. The Nguzo Saba embody the principles that helped Africans endure and survive slavery, oppression, and historical trauma, and provides a focal point for positive African American cultural identity. Kwanzaa is a spiritual, festive, and joyous holiday and Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa.

As with all holidays and celebrations, there are words and phrases associated with Kwanzaa that are symbolic of its purpose and meaning. Some of these words and phrases are as follows:
 

HABARI GANI

Many people start the nightly celebrations by asking "Habari gani?" which means "What's the news?" The correct response is the Nguzo Saba of the day.

HARAMBEE
Meaning "let's pull together!", this word represents a call to unity and collective work and struggle.

KWAHERI
Swahili term used as an expression of parting with good wishes and an expectancy to meet again.

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When is Kwanzaa?
 

The first Kwanzaa was was celebrated on December 26, 1966. Starting on December 26th, Kwanzaa lasts for seven days and nights, until January 1st. It is an American holiday, and occurs between the Roman Catholic and Protestant celebration of Christmas and the secular celebration of New Year's Day.

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Nguzo Saba

The 7 social and spiritual principles of Kwanzaa

UMOJA (UNITY) (oo-MOE-jah). Celebrated on day one. This principle teaches striving for and maintaining unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

KUJICHAGULIA (SELF DETERMINATION) (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah). Celebrated on day two.  It is a principle that teaches defining oneself, naming oneself, creating for oneself, and speaking for oneself.

UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK and RESPONSIBILITY) (oo-JEE-mah). This principle is celebrated on day three, and teaches building and maintaining the community together, recognizing others problems as our own, and solving those problems together.

UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) (oo-JAH-mah) Practiced on day four, this principle teaches building and maintaining African American stores, shops and other businesses and profiting together from them.

NIA (PURPOSE) (nee-AH).  This principle is practiced on day five. It is a principle that encourages the collective effort of building and developing the community in order to restore African Americans to their traditional greatness.

KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) (koo-OOM-bah).  Practiced on day six, this principle emphasizes doing the best you can and as much as you can always to to make your community better than when it was first inherited.

IMANI (FAITH) (ee-MAH-nee). On day seven, this principle serves as a reminder to believe in the African American culture, family, community, and in oneself.

Shorthand Version:

Umoja = Unity

Kujichagulia = Self-determination

Ujima = Working together

Ujamaa = Supporting each other

Nia = Purpose

Kuumba = Creativity

Imani = Faith in our people and ourselves

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How is Kwanzaa Celebrated?

http://www.harperchildrens.com/holiday/kwan.htm

During the week of Kwanzaa, people gather in the evenings to light the candles of the kinara and share thoughts on the Nguzo Saba of the day. There are seven candles, mishumaa saba, with three red candles to the right, three green candles to the left, and one black candle in the center of the kinara. The red is for the blood of the African people, the green is for the hope of new life, and the black is for the face of the African people.

The table is set with straw mats called mkeka, reminders of traditions and starting places, and mazao and muhundi, fruits and vegetables, representing the rewards of unity. Muhundi are ears of corn, and there is one ear for each child. Children are the center of the Kwanzaa celebration.

There is also a unity cup, or kikombe cha umoja, from which all will sip.

During each night of Kwanzaa, one might stay at home with family or join other people out in the community. On the evening of Kuumba, there is a celebration called Karamu. This is the great feast of Kwanzaa, a celebration of African American heritage. There are folktales, songs, stories of the lives of famous African Americans, and plenty of food to enjoy! This is the night when people exchange gifts, too. It is a feast of the past, present, and dreams for the future.

According to Kwanzaa'a founder,  "there is a traditionally established way of celebrating Kwanzaa. We should therefore observe these guidelines to make our Kwanzaa the most beautiful and engaging one and to keep the tradition. Without definite guidelines and core values and practices there is no holiday."

Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Myers, 66th Air Base Wing noncommissioned officer in charge of the Military Equal Opportunity office, demonstrates a Kwanzaa ritual where she lights a candle in the Kinara. Photo by Christopher Myers.

For  details on how to celebrate Kwanzaa, click here.

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Symbols of Kwanzaa

http://www.melanet.com/kwanzaa

MKEKA (M-kay-cah)
The Mkeka is a straw mat on which all the other items are placed. It is a traditional item and therefore symbolizes tradition as the foundation on which all else rests.

KINARA (Kee-nah-rah)
The Kinara is a candle-holder which holds seven candles and represents the original stalk from which we all sprang. For it is traditionally said that the First-Born is like a stalk of corn which produces corn, which in turn becomes stalk, which reproduces in the same manner so that there is no ending to us.

MSHUMAA (Mee-shoo-maah)
The seven candles represent the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) on which the First-Born sat up our society in order that our people would get the maximum from it. They are Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia (Self-Determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).

MUHINDI (Moo-heen-dee)
The ear of corn represents the offspring or product (the children) of the stalk (the father of the house). It signifies the ability or potential of the offsprings, themselves, to become stalks (parents), and thus produce their offspring -- a process which goes on indefinitely, and insures the immortality of the Nation. To illustrate this, we use as many ears of corn as we have children which again signifies the number of potential stalks (parents). Every house has at least one ear of corn; for there is always the potential even if it has not yet been realized.

KIKOMBE CHA UMOJA (Kee-coam-bay chah-oo-moe-jah)
The Unity Cup symbolizes the first principle of Kwanzaa. It is used to pour the libation for our ancestors; and each member of the immediate family or extended family drinks from it in a reinforcing gesture of honor, praise, collective work and commitment to continue the struggle began by our ancestors.

ZAWADI (Sah-wah-dee)
The presents (gifts) represent 1) the fruits of the labor of the parents, and 2) the rewards of the seeds sown by the children. Parents must commit their children to goodness which to us is beauty. We must commit them to good acts, good thoughts, good grades, etc., for the coming year and reward them according to how well they live up to their commitments. Goodness, again, is beauty and beauty is that which promises happiness to the family and community. For all acts, thoughts and values are invalid if they do not in some way benefit the community.

KARAMU
The feast symbolizes the high festive celebration that brings the community together to exchange and to give thanks to the Creator for their accomplishments during the year. It is held on the night of December 31 and includes food, drink, music, dance, conversation, laughter and ceremony.

NGUZO SABA (En-GOO-zoh Sah-BAH)
Symbolizes the seven principles of Kwanzaa which were developed by Maulana Ron Karenga. The Nguzo Saba are social principles dealing with ways for us to relate to each other and rebuild our lives in our own images.

BENDERA YA TAIFA
The Black Nationalist flag represents the struggle for freedom. The color red symbolizes ancestral blood; The color black symbolizes the collective color of all Black people; and the color green serves as a reminder of the land, life and new ideas that should be continued and obtained.

TAMBIKO
Symbolizes the libation by which honor is given in a special way to our ancestors and a call to carry out the struggle and the work they began. It clearly symbolizes the recognition of and respect for the contributions of those before us, our history and the models it offers us to emulate.

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THE KWANZAA SONG

Kwanzaa is a holiday

Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa

Is an African holiday

Seven Principles

Seven Candles

Seven Black days for the African

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Odu Ifa Meditation

K'a má fi kánjú j'aiyé.
K'a má fi wàrà-wàrà n'okùn orò.
Ohun à bâ if s'àgbà,
K'a má if se'binu.
Bi a bá de'bi t'o tútù,
K'a simi-simi,
K'a wò'wajú ojo lo titi;
K'a tun bò wá r'èhìn oràn wo;
Nitori àti sùn ara eni ni.

Let us not engage the world hurriedly.
Let us not grasp at the rope of wealth impatiently.
That which should be treated with mature judgment,
Let us not deal with in a state of anger.
When we arrive at a cool place,
Let us rest fully;
Let us give continuius attention to the future;
and let us give deep consideration to the consequences of things.
And this because of our (eventual) passing.

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Kwanzaa Recipes

Benne Cakes
from The Story of Kwanzaa
by Donna L. Washington, illustrated by Stephen Taylor

Benne cakes are a food from West Africa. Benne means sesame seeds. The sesame seeds are eaten for good luck. This treat is still eaten in some parts of the American South.

You will need:
oil to grease cookie sheet
1 cup finely packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup toasted sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to 325°. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Mix together the brown sugar and butter, and beat until they are creamy. Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and sesame seeds. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto the cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 mintues or until the edges are browned. Enjoy!

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Kwanza Links and Recommended Readings

The Official Kwanzaa Website created by the founder of Kwanzaa

http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

Kwanzaa Crafts: Gifts and Decorations for a Meaningful and Festive Celebration  
by Marcia Odle McNair, Marcia Odile McNair 

Kwanzaa Folktales
by Jonelle Allen, Angela Bassett, John Whitman

A Kwanzaa Fable
by Eric V. Copage, Gregory T. Daniel (Narrator)

Celebrating Kwanzaa
by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, Lawrence Migdale (Illustrator)