ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – December 26 marks the first day of Kwanzaa, a week dedicated to celebrating African concepts, values and practices.
This seven-day celebration, observed by millions of African-Americans and Pan-Africans, was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor who has taught at several California universities.
The idea and concept of Kwanzaa comes from Dr. Karenga’s studies of different African harvest celebrations. Dr. Karenga combined various aspects of his findings to create Kwanzaa: he brought together the celebratory practices of Ashanti and Zulu culture to form the basis of the festivity.
The name Kwanzaa is Swahili, derived from a phrase meaning “firstfruits”, and much of the language used during Kwanzaa is expressed in the Swahili language. According to Mohagani Magnetek, Swahili is one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa.
“Kiswahili is a trade language historically, culturally, between central Africa, the west, the south and the north – they were all together in the same area,” Magnetek said. “So this commercial language was developed, so it’s like one of those primary languages.”
Dr. Karenga originally started the holiday in 1966 to help unite African-Americans as a community, allowing them to celebrate a culture that was taken from them years before the holiday began.
“He created this because a lot of people know that our culture was banned in America and we lost a lot of it,” said Edward Wesley, president of Shiloh Community Housing Inc.
Dr. Karenga’s research led him to the name of this holiday and its seven principles that are celebrated daily. Umoja, on the first day, focuses on fighting and maintaining unity in the family, community, and nation.
“We are all brought to this earth individually, but it is designed for us to work collectively,” Wesley said. “And if you don’t do that, then the earth is unbalanced.”
While there are six more days with different meanings, including Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economy), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). The holiday involves principles that should be recognized not just one week a year, but every day throughout the year.
“I celebrate all the principles all year long, because I think that’s important,” Shiloh Community Housing, Inc. President and CEO Shenee Williams said.
Williams said faith is her favorite day because of her faith in Christ, adding that she believes achieving all the principles requires faith. According to the official Kwanzaa website, faith and unity are the last and first principles, respectively, for a definite reason. Without unity, the most important work cannot begin, and without faith, it cannot be sustained.
Kwanzaa, embedded in the culture, was never created to replace other festivities. People who observe a particular religion can still celebrate Kwanzaa; it is meant to be an addition to, not a replacement for, any religious observance.
“Those of the Christian faith would celebrate Christmas. I celebrate both,” Williams said. “My family… I am new to celebrating Kwanzaa. I have known. This will be the first year that we will have a formal celebration of the event and culture, but it is not a religious celebration. Those of us who are Christians will celebrate Christmas.
While Kwanzaa may seem like a holiday only celebrated by African-Americans, Kwanzaa’s principles and message are universal, and anyone who shares the holiday’s values is welcome to watch.
“It’s one day in a week for the black community, but the issues are universal,” said Jasmin Smith. “So it’s something everyone can learn from.”
There are many ways to learn about Kwanzaa, and this week there will be events that people can attend to help participate in the Christmas festivities and learn more about Kwanzaa. On December 29, from 6-9pm, Umoja Coworking and Incubator will host a Ujamaafest.
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