KWANZAA’S TRADITIONS AND LOCAL ROOTS ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY

By Monique Garcia

As the year comes to a close, our communities are preparing to celebrate its many different cultures this holiday season. One of these celebrations is Kwanzaa, the annual celebration of African American life and culture. Celebrated from December 26 to January 1, Kwanzaa focuses on reinforcing community beliefs and practices that work to strengthen a unique sense of family, values, and identity.

Origins Of Kwanzaa

For those not familiar with the practices or even the reason behind the celebration, Kwanzaa was created by CSULB professor, Dr. Maulana Karenga, in 1966. The holiday was conceived during the Black Freedom Movement in order to help fellow African Americans understand their unique Black identity, as well as honor the past and their heritage.

Dr. Karenga described the holiday in last year’s founder’s message as “an act of self-determination and self-authorization; a means of cultivating and expanding consciousness and commitment; a righteous reveling in our recaptured sense of the sacredness, soulfulness and beauty of our Black selves; and the practice of principles that engenders and sustains liberated and liberating ways to understand and assert ourselves in the world.” I think we can all agree that there is great beauty in a celebration focused on empowerment and a collective identity. 

Meaning Of The Seven Principles 

There are seven main principles of Kwanzaa or Nguzo Saba, each celebrated on a different day: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), Imani (Faith). 

Traditionally, families and communities come together to decorate and assemble the Kwanzaa set, which consist of: an African tablecloth, the mkeka (mat), the Kinara (candle holder), and the Mishumaa Saba (seven candles). The colors of the candles are black, red, and green, which represent the people, their struggle, and the future and its hope, respectfully. 

Every detail concerning the decorations and the celebration has specific intentions that serve to connect people to the holiday and the principles behind them. Even greetings are especially important during Kwanzaa. People greet each other with “Habari gani?” (Translation: What’s the news?). The expected answer is dependent on the day and helps remind people about what principle they should be meditating on.

The last day of Kwanzaa is the first day of the new year, January 1st. It is a time to self-reflect on the past, as well as reflect on how to go forward into the future. The celebrators ask themselves the three Kawaida questions: “Who am I?”, “Am I really who I say I am?”, and, “Am I all I ought to be?” These thought-provoking questions encourage deep introspection, personal accountability and self-determination, focusing on individual growth and purpose. 

Personal Celebration

Anaiah Younger, a mother of four and an educator, shared her perspective on Kwanzaa and how her family celebrates the holiday. Growing up in Long Beach, where Kwanzaa was first created, Anaiah’s experience was unique. She learned about Kwanzaa in school, where CSULB professors involved in the holiday’s creation gave workshops. In her own words, she learned “Kwanzaa is a celebration of who we already are. I think all the principles are descriptions of the values we already have.” 

As her children grew older, Anaiah decided they were old enough to begin understanding and appreciating the principles of Kwanzaa. While the Youngers don't celebrate in the traditional sense, Anaiah uses the holiday as an opportunity to discuss the Seven Principles with her family. “Every year, I go over the principles with them, and I think celebrating our history and culture are great reminders of how we should be as human beings.” They also make an effort to engage with the community by attending local festivals and events that celebrate Kwanzaa, helping to deepen their connection to the holiday and its values.

“I would like to see more people open to celebrating Kwanzaa in any way they can. There is no right way to do it but there is so much to gain from being exposed to the values.”

WHERE TO CELEBRATE KWANZAA

African American Cultural Center of Long Beach is celebrating Nguzo Saba on 12/30, 5:30pm-8:30pm, at the Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave, 90807.