Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival celebrated in appreciation of African and African-American history, heritage and culture. The term ‘Kwanzaa’ originates from the Swahili expression “matunda ya kwanza,” which means ‘first fruits of the harvest.’ The festival is observed from December 26th to January 1st. Each of these seven days’ honours particular principles which are thought to have been fundamental in promoting strong, productive communities and families in Africa.
Kwanzaa was first introduced in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, an American Black Power activist. Celebration of Kwanzaa started as an explicitly African-American observance in the same spirit as Juneteenth (the American Freedom Day or Independence Day). The holiday is centered on the end of year harvest festivals that have been happening for decades across Africa. Karenga chose Swahili, an East African dialect because it symbolized the prominence of Pan-Africanism during the 1960s.
Karenga’s inspiration stemmed from the First Fruits Festival celebrated in Southern Africa between December and January, and an account on the Zulu festival referred to as Umkhosi Wokweshwama. It was agreed that the holiday’s name should have seven letters, each symbolic of the seven principles associated with Kwanzaa celebrations.
Generally, Kwanzaa celebrations date back to Black National Movements of the 1960s. The holiday was created to provide an opportunity for African-Americans to reconnect with their rich African culture and historical legacy, through the unification of reflection and education of African customs and the seven values of African heritage (also known as Nguzo Saba). According to Karenga, a vital champion of the Black Power Movements during the 1960s and 1970s, the establishment of Kwanzaa emphasized an essential foundation claiming that “you must have a cultural revolution to have purpose, identity & direction, before a violent revolution.”
Initially, when the holiday was instituted, Karenga meant for it to replace Christianity which he considered a ‘white’ religion and hence should be rejected by Africans. Later in 1997, Karenga altered his stance to include Africans practicing Christianity, and from there henceforth, Kwanzaa became a celebration of culture, community, and family—but not an alternative to other religious observations such as Christmas or New Year’s Day.
The commemoration of Kwanzaa revolves around honouring the seven principles of African heritage (originally referred to as Nguzo Saba) which, according to Karenga, represents an African communitarian philosophy. The Nguzo Saba principles were developed in 1965, one year before the establishment of Kwanzaa, and consist of what according to Karenga “are the greatest African thoughts and practices with the constant change in the world.” The seven principles include:
Kwanzaa celebratory symbols include:
During Kwanzaa celebrations, families beautify their households with colourful artifacts, African cloth such as kente and fresh fruits that symbolize African idealism. It is traditionally expected to allow children to participate in the celebrations and give shukrani (thanks) to descendants through pouring libations. Both Africans and non-Africans celebrate this festival today.
Usually, people celebrate this holiday through musical selections, drumming, libations, discussing the African principle of the day, a reflection on the Pan-African colors, feasts, candle lighting rituals, and artistic performances. The celebrations are accompanied by greetings such as joyous Kwanzaa or Habari gani? Which translates to “how are you”?
At the start, celebrating Kwanzaa together with other holidays was shunned upon as it was believed doing so would violate the holiday’s values, symbols, integrity, and practices. Today, African-Americans observe both Kwanzaa along with other Christian holidays. Commonly, African-American families who celebrate both Christmas and Kwanzaa incorporate both Christmas traditions and Kwanzaa traditions, such as the kinaras (candle holder), in their homes. Cultural exhibitions include the yearly celebration at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts referred to as the Spirit of Kwanzaa and features songs, poetry, interpretive dance, and African dance.
Following the intense commercialization of Kwanzaa in the 1990s, there have been concerns about the damaging of the holiday’s values. In 1997, Kwanzaa was officially given a presidential declaration by Bill Clinton in addition to more significant popularity following the issue of the first Kwanzaa stamps by Synthia Saint James to the US Post Office. With time the holiday spread to Canada, France, Jamaica, Great Britain, Brazil. Celebrations for this festival in all countries begin on December 26th and end on January 1st.
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Great overview of the Kwanzaa celebration. I love the fact that it is based on and supportive a relatively new spiritual/rational concept, and wholly created by and for Black americansof African decent. Thanks
By ali dee (Dec, 2019) |