Unlike Christmas, which has been popular in the United States since the 1870’s, Kwanzaa only recently gained attention. Many unfamiliar with the origins of Kwanzaa may assume that this is a ‘Black’ Christmas. But there is more to Kwanzaa than its occurrence around the Christmas holiday.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival that begins on December 25 and ends on January 1. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966 at one of our California State Universities by Maulana Ndabezitha Karenga, a professor of Africana studies. “According to the book, Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition (2009) by Keith A. Mayes, Karenga was inspired by the cultural traditions of African harvest celebrations and was determined to find a way to bring the African American community together to persevere through hardship”.1 Kwanzaa is Swahili for “first fruits,” a celebration of agricultural bounty and a metaphor for a prosperous life. It is not tied to any particular religion. Each day of the week is meant to represent and highlight one of the seven core principles of the holiday. Every night, a candle is lit on a traditional candleholder, the Kinara, to honor each of Kwanzaa’s principles.1, 2 If you have never celebrated Kwanzaa it is not too late. Anyone of any race can celebrate Kwanzaa.
The first day of Kwanzaa is Umoja (unity). In light of the recent escalation of racial tension, the time is perfect for reflection and setting goals towards unity in the family, community and across the nation. Everyone participates by fostering deliberate action towards the goal of diversity, equity and inclusion. The first step is to listen. Take some time to hear the stories of individuals to gain an understanding of the ongoing struggles many experiences due to race.
The second day of Kwanzaa is Kujichagulia (self-determination). This day is a reminder of the need to be self-determining and respectful of yourself and others, and to understand that you have value in the totality of the community in which you live,” explains Lionel Jean-Baptiste, a Haiti native and Illinois Supreme Court judge who’s been celebrating the Pan-African holiday since the 1960s. “It’s not a monolithic community. It’s a community made up of many different people “.1 This statement is representative of our community here in San Bernardino. As an organization and individually, the intentional unified effort to learn about the cultures that are represented within our LLUH community also requires that we seek change that supports a diversity of staff, students and patients.
The third day of Kwanzaa is Ujima (collective work and responsibility). This principle encourages practices to build and keep communities together. It calls for recognition of the humanity in all, acknowledging our brothers and sisters with the spirit of justice and equity; recognizing problems that affect all of humanity. and working towards solutions. Ask the question, how can I help? And be ready to pitch in.
The fourth day of Kwanzaa is Ujamaa (cooperative economics). This can be viewed professionally or personally. A close friend recently decided to intentionally look for and support black owned business. I was surprised since she is not an African American. She purchased gifts from this company and informed the receiver of its source. I was impressed since I rarely look beyond what mainstream industry had to offer. Take some time to explore black owned businesses as you seek out holiday gifts this year.
The fifth day is Nia (purpose). We have all heard of the importance of a purpose driven life. Reflecting on and creating goals for the future is the first step. Creating a plan and beginning the journey is the next. With the recent protest I have observed and listened to individuals of other races who are purposeful towards gaining an understanding of what ’Black lives matters’ actually means. Take some time to read a book on the subject, watch a documentary, or listen to a series of podcasts for personal knowledge and change. On an organizational level, I was pleased when our organization demonstrated a purposeful change towards inclusion by providing alternative hair combs for our patients with textured hair.
The sixth day is Kuumba (creativity), a time to reflect on your creative side. Unfortunately, COVID has resulted in quarantine and isolation from our usual activities. I am most empathetic towards children who are trapped at home and haven’t interacted with their friends for what may seem like an eternity. Challenge yourself and your family to find a creative way to connect with others over the holidays within the context of the restrictions we now face. Make something beautiful that reflects a different culture than your own. Try making an alternative dish from a different culture and share with others (individually wrap and dropped off at the front door of course.) Do something beneficial for your community. Think of creating a legacy that will have an impact for years to come.
The seventh day is Imani (faith). It is faith that helps us to believe and hope for a better future despite struggles and the past. It’s a day to believe with all our hearts that the future for our children, the organization, and the community will be bright. It is our faith that propels us to action, to move forward with making changes each day towards that reality and elevating the society we live in. We can move from ‘I have a dream’ towards a better reality for all. We can continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ towards making all of mankind whole.
Holidays offer a good time for introspection and appreciation for different cultures. How you chose to celebrate is not written in stone. What matters is reflection, homage, and good cheer that honors our ancestors. Honestly, this is 2020. There is no correct way to celebrate anything. No matter what you chose to celebrate, enjoy the holidays.
Happy Kwanzaa.
Maria Letts
Source:
1. https://www.rd.com/article/kwanzaa-principles/
2. https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/
