Observing Kwanzaa
Created in 1966 and cultivated by Black American activist Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is a Black American holiday intended to honor African heritage and culture through a week long celebration of gatherings between December 26 and January 1.Originally celebrated in the 1960's as a formal alternative to Christmas, Black Americans who practice Christianity now celebrate the holiday alongside Christmas, creating an extended holiday season that runs through New Year's Day. In fact, many homes celebrating Kwanzaa have a traditional Kinara candle holder sitting alongside their Christmas trees. Karenga originally intended for the holiday to serve as an African American alternative to Christianity, which he considered a white holiday.However, as Black Americans gained civil rights and sociocultural acceptance, Karenga relented this stance and has since proclaimed his created holiday a celebration open not just to other cultures but okay to celebrate alongside other holiday traditions.At these gatherings, celebrants light candles on a Kwanzaan kinara (as the Jewish do with a menorah) and may give gifts during each night of the holiday, while ritually passing around a ceremonial drink in a Kwanzaan chalice referred to as "Kikombe cha Umoja" (“Cup of unity”). The final days culminate in a large feast called the Karamu on December 31.Kwanzaan homes are decorated in colorful decorations, art, cloth spreads and other products meant to celebrate the idealist traditions of African culture. Participants may dress in traditional dashiki (suits), kaftans (dresses) and kufi (caps) during nightly celebrations to accentuate the traditional mood. Participants may also exchange the traditional greeting “Joyous Kwanzaa!” and “Habari Gani” (What's the news?). Traditional activities include musical and drum performances as well as readings of“The African Pledge”:“We will remember the humanity, glory and sufferings of our ancestors,And honor the struggle of our elders;We will strive to bring new values, and new life to our people;We will have peace and harmony among us.We wil be loving, sharing, and creative.We will work, study and listen, so we may learn;learn so we may teach.We will cultivate self-reliance.We will struggle to resurrect and unify our homeland;We will raise many children for our nation;We will have discipline, patience, devotion and courage;We will live as models to provide new direction for our people.We will be free and self-determining;We are African people...We will win!”
Kwanzaa is celebrated beyond Black American homes. Whites and other cultures may also celebrate the Kwanzaa holiday, akin to non-Latinos celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Kwanzaa-themed performances also take place around the country in art centers, the biggest of all being the John F Kennedy Center's annual “Spirit of Kwanzaa” performances.Originally created as a secular holiday for Black Americans, Ron Karenga's Kwanzaa has expanded into a week long celebration of African heritage open to all cultures and religions. Though the celebration did not originate from Africa, the rituals, traditions and celebrations are done in tribute to the culture from which Black America originated.
