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Kwanzaa: An African-American Holiday

Kwanzaa: An African-American Holiday. Introduction. What is Kwanzaa

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Kwanzaa: An African-American Holiday

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  1. Kwanzaa: An African-American Holiday

  2. Introduction • What is Kwanzaa • Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. • It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture.

  3. Introduction • So the question might be asked why is there a need for this holiday and what’s the importance of it and what can we get out of this celebration. • The answer is a simple one. Since we, Africans here in America, have been robbed of a knowledge of self; of culture, of traditions, of language, and of history we need to reaffirm ourselves through the customs, and traditions of our ancestors.

  4. Introduction • The purpose of this lesson is to inform, educate, and empower you to the celebration of Kwanzaa • This lesson will cover the following areas • History and origin of Kwanzaa • The 7 days of Kwanzaa • The 7 symbols of Kwanzaa • The Kwanzaa Celebration • Conclusion

  5. History & Origin • Kwanza is a holiday based on the African tradition of celebrating the harvesting of the first fruits. Kwanzaa was recreated and introduced to black people in the U.S. by college professor Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga in 1966. • Dr. Karenga is professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach.

  6. History & Origin •   An activist-scholar of national and international recognition, Dr. Karenga has played a significant role in Black intellectual and political culture since the 60’s.  www.maulanakarenga.org

  7. History & Origin • Following the Watts Riots of 1965 Dr. Karenga founded the organization known as “Us” • it was through this organization that he had a new vision of possibility thru service, struggle and institution-building, thus formulating the celebration Kwanzaa. • Dr. Karenga felt the need for this celebration to give his people an uplift during a difficult time by giving them a since a self worth.

  8. History & Origin • The celebration has now spread worldwide; Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions of people in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and America. • Kwanzaa is a time of year for black people to come together as a community to celebrate the fruits of our labor during the past year. We do this by reflecting, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing in an atmosphere of peace, love and unity.

  9. History & Origin • Where does the word Kwanzaa come from? • The word Kwanzaa comes from the phrase, matunda ya kwanza which means first-fruits. • This term comes directly out of the tradition of agricultural people of Africa, who celebrated and gave thanks for harvest at designated times during the year. • Each tribe or community in Africa would come together to sing, dance, eat and drink and celebrate the harvest of the first fruits and vegetables. The would bring food they grew or items they made to give to the feast.

  10. 7 Days of Kwanzaa • Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community. • These values are called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili means the Seven Principles. Developed by Dr. Karenga, the Nguzo Saba stand at the heart of the origin and meaning of Kwanzaa, for it is these values which are not only the building blocks for community but also serve to reinforce and enhance them.

  11. 7 Days of Kwanzaa • Umoja (Unity) • Kujichagulia (Self-determination) • Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) • Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) • Nia (Purpose) • Kuumba (Creativity) • Imani (Faith)

  12. 7 Days of Kwanzaa • Umoja (ooh-MOE-jah) • means Unity, and it is the principle for the first dayof Kwanzaa. Our families and communities need unity in order for them to be productive and to survive. • On this day, we pledge to strive for and to maintain unity in the family, in the community, in the nation that we have helped to build, and with our people.

  13. 7 Days of Kwanzaa • Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) • means self-determination and is the second day of Kwanzaa. On this day, we pledge to defineourselves, to name ourselves, to create for ourselves, and to speak for ourselves, instead of being defined, named by, created for and spoken for by others. • On this day we design for ourselves a positive future and then vow to make thatprophecy, that dream, a self-fulfilling one.

  14. 7 Days of Kwanzaa • Ujima (ooh-GEE-mah) • is the third day of Kwanzaa and means collective work and responsibility. On this day we celebrate working together in the community tohelp others. For Ujima, we pledge to rebuild our communities and to help our peoplesolve our own problems by working together to do it.

  15. 7 Days of Kwanzaa • Ujamaa (OOH-jahmah) • means cooperative economics and is the fourth day of Kwanzaa. On this day of Kwanzaa, we pledge to develop our own businesses and to support them, to maintain shops, stores and industry that contribute to the well-being of our community and to drive out businesses (boycott, etc.) that take from our communities and give nothing back.

  16. 7 Days of Kwanzaa • Nia (NEE-ah) • is the fifth day of Kwanzaa and it means purpose. On this day, we pledge to build and develop our communities, our schools and our families. • We also pledge to provide a strong communal foundation from which our childrencan develop into strong and productive people.

  17. 7 Days of Kwanzaa • Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) • is the sixth day of Kwanzaa, and it means creativity. • On this day, we pledge several things. We pledge to do whatever we can to make our communities and homes more beautiful and better than we found them. • We also pledge to use our creative talents and energies to improve young minds and hearts.

  18. 7 Days of Kwanzaa • Imani (ee-MAH-nee) • is the seventh and last day of Kwanzaa. Imani means faith. • On this day, the beginning of the new year we pledge to believe with all our hearts and minds in our people, our parents, our good and dedicated teachers and leaders, and in the greater good of the work we do with and for one another, for the community and for the people.

  19. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa • Kwanzaa has seven basic symbols and two supplemental ones. Each represents values and concepts reflective of African culture and contributive to community building and reinforcement.

  20. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa Mazao (The Crops) • These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor. • The used of fruit can be used for the display of your Mazao

  21. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa Mkeka The Mat • This is symbolic of our tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build.

  22. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa Muhindi The Corn • This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody. • You will need one ear of corn for each child in your family

  23. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa Kikombe cha Umoja The Unity Cup • This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.

  24. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa Kinara The Candle Holder • This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people, continental Africans. • Can be store bought or hand made.

  25. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa Mishumaa Saba The Seven Candles • These are symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.

  26. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa Zawadi The Gifts • These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children. • Can be practical gifts or hand handmade gifts.

  27. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa Bendera The Flag • The colors of the Kwanzaa flag are red, black, and green • black for the people • red for their blood shed • green for the richness of the motherland • It is based on the colors given by the Hon. Marcus Garvey as national colors for African people throughout the world.

  28. 7 Symbols Of Kwanzaa Nguzo Saba Poster Poster of The Seven Principles • Display poster of the seven principles of Kwanzaa • Can be store bought or homemade to be placed on display so that people unknown to the celebration can have information on it.

  29. The Kwanzaa Celebration • The Greeting • The Kwanzaa celebration starts with the greeting of the day. The greetings during Kwanzaa are in Swahili. Swahili is a Pan-African language and is chosen to reflect African Americans' commitment to the whole of Africa and African culture rather than to a specific ethnic or national group or culture.

  30. The Kwanzaa Celebration • The greetings are to reinforce awareness of and commitment to the Seven Principles. It is: "Habarigani?" and the answer is each of the principles for each of the days of Kwanzaa, i.e., "Umoja", on the first day, "Kujichagulia", on the second day and so on. • Set up Procedures • First, a central place in the home for the Kwanzaa Set, the symbols of Kwanzaa is chosen.

  31. The Kwanzaa Celebration • A table is then spread with a beautiful piece of African cloth. Then, the mkeka (mat) is placed down and all of the other symbols are placed on it or immediately next to it to symbolize our rootedness in our tradition. Next the Kinara (candle holder) is placed on the mat and the Mishumaa Saba (seven candles) are placed in the kinara (candle holder).

  32. The Kwanzaa Celebration • The black candle is lit first on the first day of the celebration. And the remaining candles are lit afterwards from left to right on the following days. This procedure is to indicate that the people come first, then the struggle and then the hope that comes from the struggle. • And then the mazao (crops), and ears of corn are also placed on the mkeka. • At least two ears of corn are placed down on the mat regardless of whether there are children in the immediate family or not for the children of the community belong to all of us and every adult in African tradition is considered an immediate or social parent.

  33. The Kwanzaa Celebration • Next the kikombe cha umoja (the Unity cup) is then placed on the mkeka (mat). It is used to pour tambiko (libation) to the ancestors in remembrance and honor of those who paved the path down which we walk and who taught us the good, and the beautiful in life. • Then African art objects and books on the life and culture of African people are also placed on or next to the mat to symbolize our commitment to heritage and learning.

  34. The Kwanzaa Celebration

  35. The Kwanzaa Celebration • DECORATING THE HOME • The Kinara along with the other symbols of Kwanzaa should dominate the room, which should be given an African motif. This is easily achieved and shouldn't result in too much expense. The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. This should be kept in mind when decorating the home. Black, red and green streamers, balloons, cloth, flowers, and African prints can be hung tastefully around the room. Original art and sculpture may be displayed as well.

  36. The Kwanzaa Celebration • THE KWANZAA FEAST OR KARAMU • The Kwanzaa Karumu is traditionally held on December 31st.  It is a very special event as it is the one Kwanzaa event that brings us closer to our African roots.  The Karamu is a communal and cooperative effort.  • Ceremonies and cultural expressions are highly encouraged.  It is important to decorate the place where the Karamu will be held, (e.g., home, community center, church) in an African motif that utilizes black, red, and green color scheme. 

  37. The Kwanzaa Celebration • A large Kwanzaa setting should dominate the room where the karamu will take place.  A large Mkeka should be placed in the center of the floor where the food should be placed creatively and made accessible to all for self-service.  • Prior to and during the feast, an informative and entertaining program should be presented.  Traditionally, the program involved welcoming, remembering, reassessment, recommitment and rejoicing, concluded by a farewell statement and a call for greater unity.

  38. The Kwanzaa Celebration • Kukaribisha (Welcoming) • Introductory Remarks and Recognition of distinguished guests and All Elders. • Cultural Expression (Songs, Music, Group Dancing, Poetry, Performances, Unity Circles) • Kuumba (Remembering) • Reflections of a Man, Woman and Child. • Cultural Expression

  39. The Kwanzaa Celebration • Kuchunguza Tena Na Kutoa Ahadi Tena (Reassessment and Recommitment) • Introduction of Distinguished Guest Lecturer and Short Talk. • Kushangilla (Rejoicing) • Rejoicing is celebrated through a liberation statement and an oath to the ancestors. • The liberation statement and oath to the ancestors should be led by the head of the family and repeated by all in attendance.

  40. The Kwanzaa Celebration • Kikombe Cha Umoja (Unity Cup) • Kutoa Majina (Calling Names of Family Ancestors and Black Heroes) • Ngoma (Drums) • Karamu (Feast) • Tamshi la Tutaonana (The Farewell Statement)

  41. CONCLUSION • The purpose of the Kwanzaa celebration is to help us to Sankofa as a people • Sankofa means to go back to from where you once came • In order for people of African decent to achieve this goal we need to re-establish the virtues of our ancestors which are: truth, justice, righteousness, order, balance, harmony, and reciprocity. • And it is through this time of year and this celebration that we can attain this.

  42. HOTEP

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