A holiday that celebrates the ideals of community, Kwanzaa is typically celebrated by people of African descent, but like other holidays, can be celebrated by anyone who shares its seven main principles. The principles, listed beow, each have equal importance in this holiday: - Umoja - unity
- Kljichagulia - self-determination
- Ujima - collective work and responsibility
- Ujamaa - cooperative economics
- Nia - purpose
- Kuumba - creativity
- Imani - faith
In translating these ideals into elements of celebration, a Kwanzaa table includes seven symbolic items, each of which should be represented when observing this holiday: - Mazao: Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables
Represents hard work and the fundamental ideals of the holiday - Mkeka: Woven Placemat (generally made from straw or cloth)
Represents history, tradition and culture - Vibunzi: Ear of Corn
Represents fertility and the realization of hopes through future generations - Mishumaa Saba: The Seven Candles (3 red, 3 green, 1 black)
Represents the African gods and the holiday's seven principles - Kinara: The Candleholder
Represents ancestry - Kikombe Cha Umjoa: The Unity Cup
Represents the souls of the departed or "living dead" and unity with ancestors and community - Zawadi: Gifts
Represent encouragement for determination and achievement Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday, typically celebrated by people of African-American descent, but can be celebrated by everyone Seven specific principles that relate to unity among people, creativity, self-determination and other ideals on which the concept of community is built Baskets of fruits and vegetables, natural look; rustic clay urns and containers Woven place mat, Mkeke, Swahili for "foundation," provides foundation for all the celebratory elements While buying a natural-woven mat is always an option, hand-weaving a mat instead celebrates another of Kwanzaa's seven main principles, "kuumba" or creativity Construction paper cut w/ slots at one-inch intervals down its entire length, stopping one inch from ends woven with strips of symbolic colors: red, black and green (red is struggle of the people, black is unifying force of the people and green is hope for the future) Same colors also used in the kinara, which is used in every Kwanzaa celebration, represents foundation ancestors have provided for future generations The variety of handmade textures and multiple levels of the table arrangement (low baskets of fruit, taller urns, elevated level of candles) creates a beautiful effect that exemplifies the holiday's principles "Kwanzaa" is derived from a Swahili term meaning "first fruits," a meaningful source of holiday celebration. The holiday was created in 1966 and is celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Its ancient roots lie in African first-fruit harvest celebrations.
RESOURCES :
A Kwanzaa Celebration: Festive Recipes and Homemade Gifts from an African-American Kitchen
Model: 0525940707
Author: Angela Shelf Medearis
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