The Rolla Area NAACP wishes you a Merry Christmas-and a Happy Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days between December 26 through January 1. The origins of Kwanzaa are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits." The first fruits celebrations are recorded in African history as far back as ancient Egypt and Nubia. The 2009 Kwanzaa theme is "Principles and Practices of Kwanzaa: Repairing and Renewing the World."
Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 in the midst of the Black Freedom Movement. Kwanzaa was created to reaffirm the vision and values of African culture, to introduce and reinforce the seven principles or values, to serve as a regular communal celebration, and as an act of cultural self-determination.
The Nguzo Saba or seven principles of Kwanzaa are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). There are also seven basic symbols of Kwanzaa: Mazao (The Crops), Mkeka (The Mat), Kimara (The Candle Holder), Muhindi (The Corn), Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles), Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup), Zawadi (The Gifts). The two supplemental symbols of Kwanzaa are Bendera (The Flag), and Nguzo Saba Poster (Poster of the Seven Principles). The colors of Kwanzaa are black, green, and red. These colors have significance in the African culture. Black is for the people. Green is for the future and for hope. Red is for the struggle of the people. Kwanzaa's focus on values comes from Kawaida, a communitarian African philosophy that provides the framework for Kwanzaa.
During the seven-day celebration, one of the principles is observed during each of the seven days of the celebration. One of the seven candles is lit during each day of Kwanzaa to represent each of the principles. A black candle that sits in the center of the candle holder represents Umoja. Gifts are given to children, but the gifts must include a book and a heritage symbol. The last day of Kwanzaa, January 1, is Siku ya Taamuli (The Day of Meditation), a sober assessment of things done and things to do. During Siku ya Taamuli, we may ask ourselves the three Kawaida questions: Who am I? Am I really who I say I am? Am I all I ought to be? These questions are definitely appropriate, given that Kwanzaa comes at the end of the calendar year.
The information in this article (and much more information) can be found on the Internet at www.officialkwannzaawebsite.org
Note: Rev. Mary A. Pulley, the president of the Rolla Area Branch of the NAACP, has approved this article. The purpose of the "NAACP Point of View" series is to communicate the positions of the Rolla Area Branch of the NAACP concerning subjects of interest. For more information, or to join the NAACP, please contact the Rolla Area Branch by e-mail (unit4093@naacp.org), regular mail, (PO Box 1534, Rolla Missouri 65402-1534), or telephone (573-426-3323).
