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Celebrating Kwanzaa
CELEBRATING
WRITTEN BY DENA DAW | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN
KWANZAA, A CULTURAL HOLIDAY intended to help reconnect African Americans to their roots, is celebrated Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a cultural activist and professor of Africana studies, Kwanzaa acknowledges and honors African American heritage with candle lightings, dancing, singing, gifts, and a large feast.
Black, red, and green candles are arranged on a Kinara, a traditional candle holder for seven candles. During the week, a different candle is lit symbolizing the seven different principles of Kwanzaa — umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (working together), ujamaa (supporting each other), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). The word Kwanzaa is Swahili for “first,” as the holiday is modeled after the harvest, or “first fruits” celebrations in Africa. The colors of Kwanzaa represent unity for people of African descent worldwide. Black is for the people, red is for the blood that unites those with African ancestry, and green is for the rich land of Africa.
During the week of Kwanzaa, all are invited to celebrate and learn more about African American history and culture.
“I think Kwanzaa is important to spread in the community because it’s an opportunity
Cary’s Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, produced by the Town of Cary in partnership with the Ujima Group Inc., features African dance, drumming, storytelling, a traditional Kwanzaa ceremony, and a performance by United Strings of Color and the Harambee Collective: Art of African Dance and Music.
“I think Kwanzaa is important to spread in the community because it’s an opportunity for Black people, for people of color, for all people to really take the time and opportunity in the busy year to recenter and ground themselves,” said Isaiah T. Lucas, program coordinator at NC State’s African American Cultural Center.
Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 that honors the legacy and heritage of Africans and African American people.
Children are invited to join in the drum circle.
Black, red, and green candles are arranged on a Kinara, a traditional candle holder for seven candles. Black is for the people, red is for the blood that unites those with African ancestry, and green is for the rich land of Africa.
Musical performances and storytelling round out the celebration.
for Black people, for people of color, for all people to really take the time and opportunity in the busy year to recenter and ground themselves,” said Isaiah T. Lucas, program coordinator at NC State’s African American Cultural Center and the lead for the university’s Kwanzaa celebration. “Kwanzaa, to me, is taking the opportunity to reflect on your life and how you exhibit the seven principles of Kwanzaa. What has been your kuumba moment? What has been your kujichagulia moment? What has been your ujamaa moment? Figure out how those things have shown up in your life and how you want them to show up in your life for the next 365-day calendar year.”
The Town of Cary will hold its annual Kwanzaa Celebration, in partnership with The Ujima Group Inc., at The Cary Arts Center on Dec. 30. For those who are out of town for the new year, NC State holds its annual celebration Nov. 11–18.
“There’s a lot of different ways to celebrate Kwanzaa, but the whole point of it is to take each day, look at each principle, and see how it applies to your life and how you can intentionally incorporate it in the future,” said Lucas. “We celebrate Blackness and celebrate the contributions of the African diaspora to the US.” t
Attendees enjoy a performance by United Strings of Color, a music education program addressing racial disparity in classical music and exploring the intersection of music and societal issues.
