Understanding Kwanzaa

dLaSt BoRn · 12-04-2001, 06:18 PM

Understanding Kwanzaa

KWANZAA, the African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits", Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. Kwanzaa seeks to enforce a connectedness to African cultural identity, provide a focal point for the gathering of African peoples, and to reflect upon the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, that have sustained Africans. Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa was born out of the whirlwind of social and political changes of the sixties decade. The sixties represent one of many eras during which the African and African-American struggle for freedom and self-identity reached its historical peak, spawning multiple revolutionary movements.

By creating Kwanzaa, African-Americans sought to rectify the cultural and economic exploitation perpetrated against us during the months of October, November, and December (the Christmas season). During this season, corporate America typically ignored the quality of life concerns of African-Americans, yet encouraged participation in the commercialism of Christmas. Additionally, African-Americans did not observe a holiday that was specific to our needs. A review of the major holidays celebrated in the United States would reveal that not one related specifically to the growth and development of African-Americans. The development of Kwanzaa assumed a reassessment, reclaiming, recommitment, remembrance, retrieval, resumption, resurrection, and rejuvenation of the "Way of Life" principles recognized by African-Americans. These principles have strengthened African-Americans during our worldwide sojourn.

Kwanzaa is a spiritual, festive and joyous celebration of the oneness and goodness of life, which claims no ties with any religion. The focus of Kwanzaa is centered around the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) with particular emphasis on the unity of our Black families. It is a time for gathering of our families, and for a rededication to manifesting the principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) as a way of life for Black Americans.

Kwanzaa has definite principles, practices and symbols which are geared to the social and spiritual needs of African-Americans. The reinforcing gestures are designed to strengthen our collective self-concept as a people, honor our past, critically evaluate our present and commit ourselves to a fuller, more productive future.

Kwanzaa is a way of life; not just a celebration. As a living social practice, it is a week of actual remembering, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing. For evaluation of ourselves and our history, we relate to our past, reassess our thoughts and practices, and recommit ourselves to the achievement of Black liberation and the betterment of life for all Black Americans.

Finally, the concept of Kwanzaa, the African-American holiday, is to help Black Americans relate to the past in order to understand the present and deal with the future.

His Majesty · 12-04-2001, 06:28 PM

it continues to baffle me.......why do african americans look to southern africa for influnce.

i belive most slaves came from west africa.

**ewucanbeer** · 12-04-2001, 06:33 PM

Kwanzaa is an East African celebration. I have no reason celebrating. If the black americans want let them come and celebrate iwa-je (YAM) Festival.

India Chaut · 12-04-2001, 09:49 PM

I wish African Americans would stop asking me about Kwanzaa. I'm as clueless about it as they are. It's not an African celebration.

**ChocolatLuv** · 12-04-2001, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by india arie
I wish African Americans would stop asking me about Kwanzaa. I'm as clueless about it as they are. It's not an African celebration.

Exactly

ejayga · 12-05-2001, 08:12 PM

Since kwanzaa is based on 'first fruits', i guess it could be likened to the 'iwa-je' abi? Since both of them are harvest.

And India, they just want to know, it shouldnt be anything to be frustrated about.

Idi-Amin · 12-05-2001, 09:45 PM

**ewucanbeer** · 12-05-2001, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Idi-Amin
LOL

Idi,

Whats funny. Say something.

12-04-2001, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
dLaSt BoRn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: In the twilight zone Posts: 605 Points: 131.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 131.00 Donate Rep Power: 135	Understanding Kwanzaa Understanding Kwanzaa KWANZAA, the African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits", Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. Kwanzaa seeks to enforce a connectedness to African cultural identity, provide a focal point for the gathering of African peoples, and to reflect upon the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, that have sustained Africans. Africans and African-Americans of all religious faiths and backgrounds practice Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa was born out of the whirlwind of social and political changes of the sixties decade. The sixties represent one of many eras during which the African and African-American struggle for freedom and self-identity reached its historical peak, spawning multiple revolutionary movements. By creating Kwanzaa, African-Americans sought to rectify the cultural and economic exploitation perpetrated against us during the months of October, November, and December (the Christmas season). During this season, corporate America typically ignored the quality of life concerns of African-Americans, yet encouraged participation in the commercialism of Christmas. Additionally, African-Americans did not observe a holiday that was specific to our needs. A review of the major holidays celebrated in the United States would reveal that not one related specifically to the growth and development of African-Americans. The development of Kwanzaa assumed a reassessment, reclaiming, recommitment, remembrance, retrieval, resumption, resurrection, and rejuvenation of the "Way of Life" principles recognized by African-Americans. These principles have strengthened African-Americans during our worldwide sojourn. Kwanzaa is a spiritual, festive and joyous celebration of the oneness and goodness of life, which claims no ties with any religion. The focus of Kwanzaa is centered around the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) with particular emphasis on the unity of our Black families. It is a time for gathering of our families, and for a rededication to manifesting the principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) as a way of life for Black Americans. Kwanzaa has definite principles, practices and symbols which are geared to the social and spiritual needs of African-Americans. The reinforcing gestures are designed to strengthen our collective self-concept as a people, honor our past, critically evaluate our present and commit ourselves to a fuller, more productive future. Kwanzaa is a way of life; not just a celebration. As a living social practice, it is a week of actual remembering, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing. For evaluation of ourselves and our history, we relate to our past, reassess our thoughts and practices, and recommit ourselves to the achievement of Black liberation and the betterment of life for all Black Americans. Finally, the concept of Kwanzaa, the African-American holiday, is to help Black Americans relate to the past in order to understand the present and deal with the future. __________________ Extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiations Extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiations Extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiations DLB - 01/01 WORD OF WISDOM - If she's good enuff to be Igbo then she's good enuff. Case closed!!

12-04-2001, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
His Majesty Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: harlem world, NYC Posts: 2,003 Points: 291.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 291.00 Donate Rep Power: 742	re it continues to baffle me.......why do african americans look to southern africa for influnce. i belive most slaves came from west africa. __________________ [/COLOR] [/I] [/B] "Faith is what we believe in but cannot prove. Superstition is what other people believe in but cannot prove. – Lambert Jeffries .....i am a geneticist..i write codes..agtc in different combinations.. the human genome.i chose what i chose where and your kidney works, or u grow six fingers..i do that...now u spot God, u let me know%2 il then, i'll trust in my PHDs.......- - Burchenal from "red planet" The inability to retain in memory most occurrences of daily life is important, for without this gift of forgetting, our mind would be burdened with the trivial happenings of a lifetime.- Robert Kingsley

12-04-2001, 06:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
ewucanbeer Elder Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 4,505 Points: 183.00 Bank: 2,729.48 Total Points: 2,912.48 Donate Rep Power: 195	BS Kwanzaa is an East African celebration. I have no reason celebrating. If the black americans want let them come and celebrate iwa-je (YAM) Festival. __________________ Blessings are good but every once in a while you have to stop and count your money too. No one is more Catholic than the Pope. A broken clock is right two times a day.

12-05-2001, 08:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
ejayga Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 60 Points: 169.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 169.00 Donate Rep Power: 0	Well...... Since kwanzaa is based on 'first fruits', i guess it could be likened to the 'iwa-je' abi? Since both of them are harvest. And India, they just want to know, it shouldnt be anything to be frustrated about. __________________ Nappy and Proud

12-05-2001, 09:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Idi-Amin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: "secured" location Posts: 363 Points: 267.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 267.00 Donate Rep Power: 22	LOL __________________ The LORD Reigneth!!! "It is time we awaken to the fact that conformity to a sick society is being sick" Prince [Idi-Amin 03/10/02]

12-04-2001, 09:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
India Chaut EMPRESS Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Mbaise Posts: 2,433 Points: 250.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 250.00 Donate Rep Power: 26	I wish African Americans would stop asking me about Kwanzaa. I'm as clueless about it as they are. It's not an African celebration.

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