Seven
principles of Kwanzaa
By Monica Levette Clark
On-line Forty-Niner
Kinaras,
mkekas, mazao, vibunzi, a kikumbecha umoja,
a mishumaa saba and zawadis are the items
that must be on the things-to-get list to
celebrate Kwanzaa.
As a unique African-American holiday celebration,
Kwanzaa is not related to any religious
or political persuasion. Maulana Karenga,
former chairman of the black studies department
at Cal State Long Beach created the celebration
and it was established in 1966.
By adding an extra ‘a’ at the end of the
African word Kwanza, Karenga based the celebration
on the seven guiding principles that are
observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
The principles include: Umoja, which means
unity; Kujichagulia, self-determination;
Ujima, collective work and responsibility;
Ujamaa, cooperation; Kuumba, creativity;
and Imani, faith.
Similar to a menorah used for Hanukkah,
akinara holds the mishumaa saba, the seven
red, black and green candles that reflect
the seven principles. A mkeka is a placemat
made of straw that sits under the kinara.
Mazao are crops that are placed in a basket
by the kinara.
To symbolize the African concept of social
parenthood, vibunzi, or ears of corn, are
placed on the placemat.
To top off the celebration zawadi, or gifts,
are given traditionally on the last day,
although gift giving may occur at any time
during Kwanzaa. The gifts are to be creative
and have either and educational or artistic
value to them.
On New Year’s Eve the Kwanzaa feast known
as’Karamu is held. While not only involving
a meal, the feast is the time where either
members of a family, community center or
church come together to celebrate life’s
lessons and blessings, remember the past,
rejoice and plan for the future.
The feast culminates in a libation ceremony
in remembrance of the ancestors who came
before. Kwanzaa is special because it connects
the African past with the American present.
Many families celebrate Kwanzaa as an alternative
to the more religious celebrations such
as Christmas and Hanukkah.
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