Holiday celebrations: Kwanzaa
Evan Hamilton, posted Dec. 5, 2006

Christmas is nearby, but there is also another holiday close at hand. This holiday is known as Kwanzaa. According to a Kwanzaa Web site, Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that centers on community responsibility, family, self-improvement and commerce.

“I personally think it is a good thing because it ties into my African ancestry. It is a way to tie into African ancestry. With African week coming next semester, people can tie in more to their African ancestry. With African classes coming next semester, people will have more ways to tie in to their African ancestry,” said Nathan Stephens, director of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.

Kwanzaa is based on seven principles according to the Web site. From Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, one principle is celebrated each day. The seven principles are as follows:

• Umoja/Unity – It involves being together with the community and the family.

• Kujichagulia/Self-Determination – People discuss their common interests, make decisions, and work towards making them happen.

• Ujima/Collective Work and Responsibility – People are obligated to remember the past, present, and future along with their role in the world, community, and society

• Ujamaa/Cooperative economics – Together, people have strength by working with each other to meet common needs and goals.

• Nia/Purpose –People look within themselves and use personal goals that they set to help their community.

• Kuumba/Creativity – The creativity of people used to build and preserve a community.

• Imani/Faith – They see the self-worth of people and the confidence in their ability to succeed regarding moral struggles. People respect the best of their traditions, call upon the finest in people and help others to obtain a higher point in life.

According to the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center pamphlet, the GOBCC holds a Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration. “It’s an annual event, a pre-Kwanzaa event that we celebrate at the GOBCC out of respect for the national celebration of Kwanzaa,” Stephens said. “It’s a precursor event for the national celebration.”

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