KWANZAA
Including this year, I have coordinated 3 Kwanza celebrations and every year I really try hard to bring something new to this relatively new holiday.
Kwanzaa was established
in 1966 during the Black Freedom Movement. It
is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family,
community and culture. Celebrated from December 26 thru January 1, its
origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it
takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya
kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili.
Kwanzaa
was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African
culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community
and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout
the world African community. These values are called the Nguzo Saba
which in Swahili means the Seven Principles. Developed by Dr. Karenga,
the Nguzo Saba stand at the heart of the origin and meaning of Kwanzaa,
for it is these values which are not only the building blocks for
community but also serve to reinforce and enhance them.
The Seven Principles
This year the event I am planning lands on the 3rd day, UJIMA, Collective Work and Responsibility. I want to focus on doing art with loved ones so I will have four fun workshops: Yearly Calendar collages, Crowns, a Community Patchwork Quilt and decorated decoupage magnets. There will also be story telling, balloons, a face painter and free raffles.
In the past I have had musical performers, poets and singers but this year I wanted families/participants to focus on working together, listening to each other and enjoying time together without spending a dime.
Here are some photo from the past Kwanzas and I look forward to posting the recent images after December 28th. ENJOY!!!
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| December 2012 |
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