George Kilpatrick emcee of the event and performances from CFAC’s Creative Arts Academy
- Community Folk Art Center Hosts Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration
- Learn About the Seven Principles and Basic Symbols of Kwanzaa
At the return of their live Annual Pre-Kwanzaa celebration, the Community Folk Art Center gave Syracuse University Students and the Syracuse Community an opportunity to celebrate Kwanzaa (as students are on Winter Break during the formal 7-day event). On December 9, between 5:30-7:00 pm, the community was treated to an evening of cultural celebration an opportunity to hear a variety of speakers including; Melody Holmes, George Kilpatrick and CFAC Board, Staff, and representatives from SU Administration explained the history and traditions of Kwanzaa. With performances from Alice Queen, Adanfo Ensemble, and Creative Arts Academy.
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa.
According to the evenings emcee, Inspiration for The Nation’s George A. Kilpatrick, “Dr. Tanisha Jackson wanted to make sure that people understood it as a prerequisite, so that they could have university students be included as part of that celebration. So, the community folk Art Center under the direction of Dr. Jackson put together an entire program and this year they asked me to cover the history part of Kwanzaa and to lead the lighting of the seven candles as part of that.
In addition to that, there were performances by Adanfo and there were performances by the Creative Arts Academy students. You had melody Holmes do the Libation and you also had the person who put the program together, he gave a little talk as well and then we heard some performances. We had some performances as well from some of the students, and so overall it was a great for me.
It was a great way to start the holiday season. It was the first sort of holiday event that I had a chance to participate in. It’s always good to be in family and community. For many people this was one of the first things that they they’ve come out to because of the pandemic, and not having a chance to go to a lot of things.
So, it really felt good to be a part of that pre-Kwanzaa event put on by the Community Folk Art Center. And interestingly enough, obviously you know that this is the 50th year of the community focused center.
I had the opportunity to be taught by Herb Williams one of the co-founders and so and it was always special to go into that space. And if you think about it, the Community Folk Art Center is one of the true spaces that is officially designated to be that bridge between community and university. I mean, that’s their life blood and I’m glad that it’s still standing.”
Community Folk Art Center Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration
photo Essay by Malcolm Taylor
The First Day of Kwanzaa, December 26 (Umoja means Unity)
Black candle, placed right in the middle of red and green candles in Kinara, is lit on the very first day of the festival. It marks the commencement of the festive season. The person who takes the responsibility to light the candle makes a statement about the first principle i.e. Umoja (oo-MOH-jah) or unity. All the family members should listen to the statement and understand it in a way that all of them can explain the doctrine and its meaning. At times that particular member shares a passage or poem which is related to their lives and the principle in some way or the other.
The Umoja (Unity cup) filled with fruit juice is passed to all the members present in that congregating spot.
Some of the families use a Unity cup for every member present where as some just like to keep a Unity cup in the centre of the Kwanzaa table. After the ceremony of sharing fruit juice is over, the candles are turned off till the very next day.
Kwanzaa Day 2 – December 27 Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
To represent the second doctrine or principle the left most red candle is lit after the black one. This principle represents Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah) or Self- Determination.
The process goes on in the same way. The person who lights the candle on 2nd day makes a statement which is related to the second principle. He or she also continues with a passage or a poem on that particular principle and explains how this doctrine is related to the meaning of their lives. The Unity cup is again shared between the members and the candles are extinguished.
Kwanzaa Day 3 – December 28 Ujima -Collective Work & Responsibility
This is the time to emphasize on the 3rd principle of Kwanzaa, Ujima or Collective work and Responsibility. On the third day, the lighting of candles starts again with the black one, then the farthest left red one and them the utmost right green one are lit.
The family members who congregate discuss the meaning of the 3rd principle and share Unity cup. The candles are then extinguished.
Kwanzaa Day 4 – December 29 Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, the black candle is lit at first, then the utmost left red one, then the farthest right green one and at last the next red candle, placed at the left hand side of the black one, is lit. It represents the 4th principle, i.e. Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH) or Collective Economics.
The fourth principle is then discussed with the present members. The Unity cup is shared and the candles are turned off.
Kwanzaa Day 5 – December 30 Nia- Purpose
The black candle, then the left most red candle, then the right most green candle, then the 2nd red candle at the left hand side and lastly the next green candle are lit in the same sequence. This represents the 5th principle i.e. Kwanzaa – Nia (NEE-ah) or Purpose.
Members discuss the fifth principle and share Unity cup. The day ends with extinguishing the candles.
Kwanzaa Day 6 – December 31 Kuumba – Creativity
On the sixth day during Kwanzaa the black candle is lit, then the utmost left red, the extreme right green, the next red, the subsequent green and then the final red candle. This represents the 6th principle of Kwanzaa i.e. Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) or Creativity.
The sixth day falls also on the New Years day and is a very special and momentous day for the African Americans. This is the day of Karamu or Kwanzaa feast. The spirit of celebration increases a lot when many of the family members invite their loved ones and friends.
To enhance the celebration mood, decorate the home with traditional Kwanzaa colors. The African American music at the background and traditional attires should match the Kwanzaa theme. Special holiday dishes are included in the celebration. Prepare fabulous and spicy dishes for the guests. Plays are performed, family members read out passage and poems which are related to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. A story teller enjoys the centre stage in the feast. The focus of the day should be on creativity. Try to show innovation and creativity in everything.
Present members remember their own ancestors while the Unity cup is shared. The candles are turned off after everyone enjoys the drink.
Tamshi La Tutaonana (TAM-shi la Tu-ta-u-NA-na) which was written by Dr. Karenga, the inventor of Kwanzaa, is read by the eldest member of those present before the conclusion of the Karamu ceremony. This is a farewell statement for the feast and the year.
Each and everyone conclude the Karamu saying “Harambee!” for seven times.
Kwanzaa Day 7 – January 1 Imani – Faith
On the seventh and last day of Kwanzaa, the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the utmost right green, the next red candle, the 2nd green candle at the right hand side of the black candle, the final red, then the last and final green candle. This represents the 7th Kwanzaa principle, Imani (ee-MAH-nee) or Faith.
As like any other days of Kwanzaa the principle of the day is discussed, the unity cup is shared and the candles are extinguished. This marks the end of Kwanzaa for the particular year.
As the festival is relatively new one, many families decide to celebrate the occasion in their own ways and pass on the tradition to the next generations as well.
The 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. The basic symbols in Swahili and then in English are:
Mazao (The Crops)
These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor.
Mkeka (The Mat)
This is symbolic of our tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build.
Kinara (The Candle Holder)
This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people — continental Africans.
Muhindi (The Corn)
This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.
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.
Kikombe Cha Umoja (The Unity Cup)
This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.
Zawadi (The Gifts)
These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.
The two supplemental symbols are:
Bendera (The Flag)
The colors of the Kwanzaa flag are the colors of the Organization Us, black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle. It is based on the colors given by the Hon. Marcus Garvey as national colors for African people throughout the world.
Nguzo Saba Poster (Poster of The Seven Principles)
*Summarized from — Maulana Karenga Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture 2008, Los Angeles: University of Sankore Press (www.sankorepress.com)http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/images/Pic27.JPG
