Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa
Welcome to Black Legacies, I’m your host Kerry Vivian Mantle. This podcast is part one of the
Golden Nugget series which can be accessed anytime in the The Cultures segment.
On the day after the magic of Christmas, comes the ultimate beauty of Kwanzaa. Dr. Maulana
Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University in Long Beach
created and established Kwanzaa in 1966. Dr. Karenga created this wonderous holiday to
empower and unite the black community after the deadly Watts rebellion which occurred in
1965. Although it appears similar to Hannukah, it’s important to note that Kwanzaa is not by
any means a religious celebration nor is it celebrated in Africa. Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday
celebration for the African American and Pan-African community of the diaspora. This genius
holiday was created to remind us of all the necessary essentials needed to enter into a New
Year as a likeminded collaboration of one people. And with that said, we should also remember
that all human beings work better and accomplish more together than we do apart or against
one another. This is why Kwanzaa is so wonderfully enlightening- Kwanzaa celebrates unity,
recognition and love to and for one another.
The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first
fruits”. This seven-day celebration is a combination of harvest celebrations from many cultures
throughout Africa. It is symbolized with seven candles called Mishumma Sabaa. Each candle is
held in a candle holder called Kinara. Each candle represents each of the seven principles
celebrating one principle per day for an entire week. The celebration starts the day after
Christmas on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st. Other symbols
are the unity cup (Kikombe cha Umoja), placemat (Mkeka), crops (Mazao), corn (Muhindi), and
gifts (Zawadi). All symbols are placed on the Mkeka, the placemat- all of which are reminders
of where African American people come from. After all, African American history did not start
with slavery but began intently, freely and gracefully in the African continent.
The center candle in Kinara- the candle holder is black as a symbol for the people. Three
candles to the right are red, symbolizing the blood-shed and struggles. Three candles to left
symbolize the Earth- the abundance and greatness for the future. The colors black, red and
green were brought to us to represent the diaspora by the great Marcus Garvey. Each candle
also represents the seven principles one should acknowledge and think upon during Kwanzaa
called Nguzo Saba. These seven principles are worthwhile for every human being and necessary
for the world to be a better place for all.
On the first day the black candle is lit- to honor and represent Unity (Umoja). Unity in all areas
including family, community, race, culture and nation. Being of service to one another without
self interest in all areas just mentioned creating safety, security and support for one another.
Day two- the immediate red candle to the right is lit- Self- determination (Kujichagulia).
Defining who you are. Making a name for yourself. Creating and speaking for yourself where
you decide and define your destiny.
Day Three- the immediate green candle to the left is lit- Collective Work and Responsibility
(Ujima). Working together to participate in the health and growth of the children, and their
connections with parents, honoring the elders and offering assistance to them. Holding oneself
accountable for what needs to be done to enhance your personal environment and rest of the
community.
Day Four- the next red candle is lit- Cooperative Economics- (Ujamaa). Participating in
supporting black owned businesses. Building black owned businesses and striving to build an
economy throughout the diaspora creating generational wealth.
Day Five- the next green candle to the left is lit- Purpose (Nia). Discovering your calling, what
you are here to do that you are passionate about that will assist all others. There is power in
being healthy in all aspects of mind, body and spirit to live in fulfillment of our individual
purpose. Creating legends, inspiring others, educating, investing your time, knowing your skills
and offering resources of your unique purpose for a better community.
Day Six- the final red candle to the right is lit- Creativity- (Kuumba). Paying homage to history
through dance, music, plays, movies, arts, literature. Writing that story, telling that story, acting
that character, performing that dance, singing that song that encourages, inspires and connects
us to one another.
Day Seven- the final green candle to the left is lit- Faith- (Imani). This is about your personal
spiritual and/or religious faith, faith in the community, faith in the family, faith in one’s self,
faith in the nation.
During the seven days of this celebration, we can see how Kwanzaa hones in on the past of
Africa as home and culture, yet it brings us to pay attention to who we choose to be and
represent ourselves in the right now, in the present, in order to develop a greater future at the
start of every year throughout the entire year long.
Do you view yourself as a continuum of your ancestors from the past? Do you choose to
participate to uplift your community for the future? Every first fruits starts with a seed. Is it
time to ask for forgiveness and/or forgive? What seeds will you plant or are you the fruit?
Kwanzaa give us so much to ponder on with ourselves and others. You have all the power to
decide. Perspective is everything but most importantly perspective is yours.
Happy Kwanzaa.
Welcome to Black Legacies- I’m your host Kerry Vivian Mantle.