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Committee on Multicultural Initiatives and
Diversity - COMID The
mission of the Committee on Multicultural Initiatives and
Diversity (COMID) is to foster our community and
environment where the richness of our diversity is
recognized, respected and embraced. Our view on diversity
includes, but is not limited to, ethnic, racial and
linguistic heritage; religious traditions; gender; sexual
orientation; age; and socioeconomic status.
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The Cary
Academy Committee on Multicultural Initiatives and Diversity
(COMID) would like to inform the community that Kwanzaa
begins on the 26th day of December and lasts
through January 1st. Kwanzaa, or Kwanza, is an
African-American holiday created by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga
in 1966.
Honoring the values of ancient African cultures
By Holly Hartman
The year 2006 will see the 40th annual
Kwanzaa, the African American
holiday celebrated from December 26 to January 1. It is
estimated that some 18 million African Americans take part
in Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to
replace Christmas. It was created by Dr. Maulana "Ron"
Karenga, a professor of Black Studies, in 1966. At this time
of great social change for African Americans, Karenga sought
to design a celebration that would honor the values of
ancient African cultures and inspire African Americans who
were working for progress.
Kwanzaa is based on the year-end harvest festivals that have
taken place throughout
Africa for thousands of
years. The name comes from the
Swahili phrase "matunda ya
kwanza," which means "first fruits of the harvest." Karenga
chose a phrase from Swahili because the language is used by
various peoples throughout Africa.
 The
Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba)
Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa honors a different
principle. These principles are believed to have been key to
building strong, productive families and communities in
Africa. During Kwanzaa, celebrants greet each other with "Habari
gani," or "What's the news?" The principles of Kwanzaa form
the answers.
|
The Principles of Kwanzaa |
|
Principle |
Pronunciation |
Meaning |
Action |
|
umoja |
(oo-MOH-ja) |
unity |
building a community that holds together |
|
kujichagulia |
(koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) |
self-determination |
speaking for yourself and making choices that benefit
the community |
|
ujima |
(oo-JEE-mah) |
collective work and responsibility |
helping others within the community |
|
ujamaa |
(oo-JAH-ma) |
cooperative economics |
supporting businesses that care about the community |
|
nia |
(nee-AH) |
a sense of purpose |
setting goals that benefit the community |
|
kuumba |
(koo-OOM-bah) |
creativity |
making the community better and more beautiful |
|
imani |
(ee-MAH-nee) |
faith |
believing that a better world can be created for
communities now and in the future |
 Colorful
Celebrations
Families gather for the great feast of karamu on December
31. Karamu may be held at a home, community center, or
church. Celebrants enjoy traditional African dishes as well
as those featuring ingredients Africans brought to the
United States, such as sesame seeds (benne), peanuts
(groundnuts), sweet potatoes, collard greens, and spicy
sauces.
Especially at karamu, Kwanzaa is celebrated with red, black,
and green. These three colors were important symbols in
ancient Africa that gained new recognition through the
efforts of Marcus Garvey's Black Nationalist movement. Green
is for the fertile land of Africa; black is for the color of
the people; and red is the for the blood that is shed in the
struggle for freedom.
The
Seven Symbols
Celebrants decorate with red, black, and green as well as
African-style textiles and art. At the heart of Kwanzaa
imagery, however, are the seven symbols.
|
The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa |
|
Symbol |
Meaning |
Action |
|
kikombe cha umoja |
the unity cup |
Celebrants drink from this cup in honor of their African
ancestors. Before drinking, each person says "harambee,"
or "let's pull together." |
|
kinara |
the candleholder, which holds seven candles |
It said to symbolize stalks of corn that branch off to
form new stalks, much as the human family is created. |
|
mazao
|
fruits, nuts, and vegetables |
These remind celebrants of the harvest fruits that
nourished the people of Africa. |
|
mishumaa saba
|
the seven candles that represent the seven principles |
A different candle is lit each day. Three candles on the
left are green; three on the right are red; and in the
middle is a black candle. |
|
mkeka
|
mat |
The symbols of Kwanzaa are arranged on the mkeka, which
may be made of straw or African cloth. It symbolizes the
foundation upon which communities are built. |
|
vibunzi (plural, muhindi) |
ear of corn |
Traditionally, one ear of corn is placed on the mkeka
for each child present.
|
|
zawadi |
gifts |
Traditionally, educational and cultural gifts are given
to children on January 1, the last day of Kwanzaa. |
The
holiday climaxes with the karamu (feast) on December
31 and a quiet day of reflection on January 1.
Happy Kwanzaa!
Jason Franklin
Hartman,
Holly. Kwanzaa.2005. [http://www.infoplease.com/spot/kwanzaa1.html]
12/09/09. For information about the Kwanzaa
Celebration in Cary click
here.
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