Wednesday, December 26, 2001
Kwanzaa a time for reflection
African-American celebration encourages fellowship, commitment
By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Thirty-five years ago, a California activist now known as Dr. Maulana Karenga searched for a unifying solution to help his community heal after the 1965 Los Angeles riots.
Dr. Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966, in hopes of strengthening family ties and community cooperation among African-Americans. Using African symbols and the Kiswahili language, he shaped a cultural holiday to remind participants of the contributions of people with African heritage living around the world.
Spread over the seven days between the day after Christmas and New Year's Day, each night of Kwanzaa was dedicated to discussing Kwanzaa's seven principles (called Nguzo Saba). The principles were derived from Kawaida, the philosophy of African thought and practice. They highlight subjects such as cooperative economics, creativity, self-determination and faith.
This year's racial unrest in Cincinnati underscores why Kwanzaa still is relevant 35 years after its creation, experts say.
“The five major activities of Kwanzaa are even more important to practice at this time for Cincinnati,” says Tulivu Jadi, assistant director of the Los Angeles-based African American Cultural Center. Dr. Karenga is the center's director.
“First, it's a time for an in-gathering of the people, for them to come together,” he says. “Especially to be in touch with people you haven't been in touch with to reinforce those bonds.”
Kwanzaa is a time to show reverence for the natural resources and preserving the Earth, he says. It also is a time to honor the past, “for those on whose shoulders we stand. Focus on those in our personal past who impacted our lives.”
People need to recommit themselves to the highest ideals, the ethical values of African-American culture, he says.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come and the positive things done during the year. Celebrating the good in our lives makes it possible to see the best in the bleakest of times,” Mr. Jadi says.
Several organizations in the Tristate hold Kwanzaa celebrations. More than 300 people attended the City-wide Kwanzaa Committee's celebration last year, according to chairman Curt Standifer. That attendance number was down from previous years as more neighborhoods have begun to sponsor their own gatherings. Mr. Standifer thinks the intimate settings are better for families to learn more about the principles.
“I encourage families to celebrate,” he says. “We have our celebration on the first night, but it's better to celebrate it in small groups each remaining night in its entirety.”
Mr. Standifer suggests participants ask themselves and each other their personal views of the day's principle, whether they follow it in their lives and what positive effect it has for them and for others. He encourages participation by all generations, especially children.
Faith Patterson of Yellow Springs has celebrated Kwanzaa in her home for much of its 35 years. Mrs. Patterson, president of the African American Cross-Cultural Works, is looking forward to this year's event, one her organization sponsors.
“I've been involved with Kwanzaa for a long time,” she says. “I've been interested in seeing this evolve because AACW's mission is to study cultures all over the world.”
While she encourages others to learn about those cultures, she stops short of identifying Kwanzaa as an intercultural event.
“Kwanzaa is about me,” says Ms. Patterson. “It's about my people. My effort is to teach everyone about Kwanzaa and to work at keeping our legacy alive. I'm happy for others to share in our legacy” while allowing for private celebrations at home with close friends and family.
“Kwanzaa is a reason to get together, to fellowship,” says Mr. Standifer. “Include children in the discussion to make Kwanzaa become clear in its importance. Kwanzaa's purpose has duality. It was born based on the struggles we have to wage every day. It encourages us to look at our African history and culture. Looking at the past is the only thing that determines what our future will be.”
Principles of Kwanzaa
The Nguzo Saba (seven principles) of Kwanzaa:
Umoja (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba (Creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Source: The Official Kwanzaa Web site (www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org)
Celebrations
Area activities in celebration of Kwanzaa:
• Make a kinara to celebrate Kwanzaa at home, 1-3 p.m. today at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Free, 287-7000.
• The City-wide Kwanzaa Committee holds its 25th annual celebration at 6 p.m. today at St. Mark Catholic Church in Evanston. Free, 961-5222.
• Music, dance, storytelling and a community potluck feast highlights the Kwanzaa celebration at 6:30 p.m. today at the Mills Lawn Elementary School gym in Yellow Springs. Bring a non-perishable food item, families are encouraged to bring a covered dish. Sponsored by African American Cross-Cultural Works. (937) 767-9114.
• Tip-to-Toe Beauty Salon sponsors the celebration at Krohn Conservatory noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Events include Kwanzaa history, dancers, a fashion show and marketplace. Free. 421-5707.
• Kwanzaa Celebration 1-8 p.m. Saturday at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio. Free, (937) 376-4944, Ext. 115.
Gadgets ... and how to use them
Have a Healthy 2002
Kwanzaa a time for reflection
Potato state creates world-class vodka
Smart mouth
Body & mind
Get to it
