Holidays - Seasons Greetings!

The young, happy holiday of Kwanzaa, rooted in ancient African traditions, strengthens bonds among family and friends.
Just four decades old, the holiday of Kwanzaa has been growing steadily in popularity; some 18 million African Americans are thought to celebrate the holiday. Founded at a time when the civil rights movement was in full force and black Americans were becoming more aware of their heritage, Kwanzaa serves to recognize the rich culture and values from the African sub-continent.

The name comes from a Swahili phrase meaning “first fruits of the harvest.” Many of Kwanzaa’s’ symbols are based on ancient symbols of harvest. And while there are carefully prescribed Kwanzaa rituals, flexibility rules the day when it comes to Kwanzaa celebrations.

In most homes, Kwanzaa is a supplement, not a replacement, for Christmas. Michelle Holmes, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard University, has marked Kwanzaa for years, usually with dinner parties of varying sizes and at different homes within her Cambridge, Mass., community. Alongside the traditional Kwanzaa decorations-ears of dried corn that symbolize the promise of children, straw mats that stand for tradition-is the family Christmas tree.

“I think it’s particularly important around Christmas to serve as sort as a counterpoint to the materialism that corporate America can attach to Christmas,” says Holmes, mother of two, “There’s the religious and theological meanings of Christmas, and we do talk about those things. But I do think it’s good to have a culturally valid way of discussing values that are important to us and passing them on to the young people.”

Children play a major role at Kwanzaa festivities. During the meal, the young ones light the seven traditional Kwanzaa candles and recite its principles.
“We often go around the room and reflect on the principles, inviting the young people to reflect on what the principles mean to them,” says Holmes. In some areas, the celebration of Kwanzaa extends beyond the African American community. At some of the bigger celebrations Holmes has attended in Cambridge up to half the participants weren’t African American, “and they have been very pleased and interested to be included,” she says.

Dates:

Kwanzaa is celebrated each year from December 26 to January1.Each of Kwanzaa’s seven days honours a different value that contributes to strengthening family, community and culture:

• Umojo [oo-MOJ-ja], or unity
• Kujichagulia [koo-jee-cha-go –LEE-ha], self determination
• Ujima [oo-Jee-mah], cooperative economics
• Nia [nee-AH], purpose
• Kuumba [koo-OOM-bah], creativity
• Imani [ee-MAH-nee], faith

Traditional Greetings:

“Habari gain” or “What’s the news?” The principle of Kwanzaa for the given day is the answer.

Origins:

Dr. Maulana Karenga, now chairman of black studies at California State University-Long Beach, designed the celebration to honour ancient African values, and to inspire and strengthen the African American community today.

Big moment:

The feast of Karumu, on December 31, is the time for big gatherings of family and friends for a meal of favourite foods that include African specialties and family favourites. Giving gifts is de-emphasized in Kwanzaa in favour of get-togethers and reflections on how to make life better for all.

Special Touches:

The colours of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. The seven symbols of the celebration are:

• The Kinara, or candleholder
• Seven candles [one black, three red, three green] that fit into the candleholder and symbolizes the pillars of Kwanzaa.
• Ears of dried corn that mark the children who take part in the festivities
• Fresh fruit and vegetables that represent the harvest
• Straw mats that stand for tradition
• The unity cup that marks the union of all African people
• Hand-made gifts that symbolize goals achieved

Menu:

Michelle Holmes often prepares dishes bases on Kwanzaa: An African American Celebration of Culture and Cooking, by Eric V. Copage.