The celebration will be held one day, and will encompass the essence of the seven days, which are normally celebrated. The holiday celebration runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. The seven-day observance reminds families to work to maintain unity in the family, in the nation and the community; to take full responsibility for determining who they are and what they will become; to be a part of building and maintaining and/or supporting economic bases in the community; to build and restore their community; and to instill the knowledge and sense of pride concerning African cultures.
Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration with the focus on the lost culture of a people. It was not created to replace any other celebration of the season nor is it a religious practice. It’s a form of education and can effect positive life styles in the family and community with the practice of the Seven Principles. Kwanzaa helps people to connect with a part of themselves that was lost. The saying is true: “There is no future for a people who deny their past.” Adam Clayton Powell Jr., US Congressman
The celebration is open to anyone who wishes to learn, participate, and encourage the use of the seven Kwanzaa principles in the family and community. Parents are encouraged to attend and bring the youth and children.
Kwanzaa Origin
In 1966, Maulana Ron Karenge, a professor of black studies at the California State University, saw a need for Americans of African lineage to hold a regularly scheduled celebration for cultural aspects of African. In turn, there is ongoing learning and reminder of the cultures of Africa. This led him to travel and study the celebrations in various African countries in the western, eastern and southern parts.
Kwanza ( Karenge spelled it Kwanzaa when he introduced it to American) is a Swahlil word meaning “first fruits” of the harvest. It is a holiday celebrated at harvest time before the dry season begins in those countries. Kwanzaa is observed by millions of people throughout the world as a way to connect and celebrate African family relationship, responsibility to community and cultural. The seven principle outline the meaning of these relationships: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination, Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imami (faith).
There are many African cultural symbols used in the celebration, some of which are: Kinara, symbolic of the African roots; harvest fruits and vegetables, the rewards of productive work; the seven candles, seven values by which African people are to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their mage and according to their own needs; the mat, symbolic of history and therefore, the foundation on which to build; unity cup, symbolizes the fundamental principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible; gifts, symbolic of labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.
The Observance
The local celebration will be held on the fourth day of Kwanzaa and will include all seven principles. While the focus is on the seven principles and symbols, there will be relevant displays, activities, drum music, dancing and sample Africa foods. The day will be rich with the opportunity for participation of children and adults. Gifts will be available for every one, symbolic of the love of parents and commitment made and kept by children.
Stations that represent each day will be set up in the fellowship hall. After the introductions, everyone will visit each station, with principle with symbol. The celebration will conclude with the pouring of Libation and the lighting of the Kinara.
The celebration is sponsored by The African American Historical and Genealogical Society of Surry County, and it is open to the public.
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