Quick & Easy Guide to Celebrating Kwanzaa

Quick and Easy Guide to Celebrating Kwanzaa!

 

Habari gani!

 

That’s a traditional greeting in Swahili.

 

Welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.

 

Today we are talking about Kwanzaa! Tis the season!

 

Kwanzaa is a wonderful week-long celebration of African culture and heritage. It was designed to help African Americans remember the history, richness and rituals of African culture, particularly the African mindset of showing gratitude for the harvest, honoring the ancestors and remembering the family unit. Kwanzaa celebrates all of this.

 

Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Dr. Ron Karenga who was an active part of the Black nationalist movements of the 1960s and 1970s. He designed it as one of the first specifically African American holidays. During the 1960s and 70s, there was a movement by African Americans to reconnect with African culture and history.—things that were stripped away during slavery and then diminished and disregarded for years. So, Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration. It is not political. It is not religious. It is not related to Christmas. It is strictly cultural. Today, Kwanzaa is celebrated by about 30 million people worldwide in Canada, several countries in Europe and the Caribbean as well as the United States.

 

Kwanzaa (which means “first fruits”) begins on December 26th and ends on January 1st (New Years Day).

 

So, let’s take a day-by-day look at celebrating the 7 days of Kwanzaa. And, at the end, I will give you information about where you can find more places to learn about Kwanzaa and more ways to celebrate it. Spoiler alert: we’re gonna get a bit of help from Maya Angelou!

 

 

 

 

It’s important to remember that Kwanzaa is a celebration of African heritage. So, start with decorating your home, making your home beautiful with pictures, posters, art, statues or anything else that uplifts your spirit and beautifies your home. Place African crafts, baskets, cloth patterns, sculptures, banners and pictures throughout your home. Focus on the Kwanzaa colors of black (which represents the African people), red (which represents the blood or struggle of the African people) and green (which represents the land and future of the African people). Most important thing: create a space in a prominent area for the Kwanzaa table or altar. You will use that every day throughout Kwanzaa.

 

What will you need?

 

Kwanzaa mat (mkeka)—the mat is symbolic of foundational history and culture around which everything else is built. The mkeka can be a straw mat, a red, green or black table cloth or Kwanzaa flag or the Pan-African flag that is laid flat on a table or altar. Just be sure that it is in a central place for everyone to stand around.

Candle holder (kinara)—the kinara has 7 candles that represent the Kwanzaa principles. 1 black candle in the middle, 3 red candles on the left and 3 green candles on the right. The candles will be lit every day. Who lights the candles? Traditionally, this honor is given to the youngest member. But it can instead be given to the eldest member. You decide.

 

Unity cup (kikumba cha umoja)—this cup is symbolic of the foundational principle of unity which makes everything else possible. Fill it with juice and have it ready to pass around every day.

 

Let’s get started with the traditional way to begin each Kwanzaa day.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1. Harbari gani! Umoja!

 

On the first day of Kwanzaa, we recognize Umoja or the concept of Unity.

 

Dr. Karenga (remember he founded Kwanzaa) thought of Umoja (Unity)—working for and maintaining harmony and togetherness in the family, the community, the nation and the world.

 

 

The first day of Kwanzaa is celebrated on December 26. It begins with lighting the Black candle at the center of the Kinara (or the candleholder by the youngest or eldest member present. Lighting the Black candle marks the beginning of the festive Kwanzaa season. Someone will then make a statement, tell a story or even say a poem about the concept of Unity. This part is very flexible. You can sing a song, play an instrument, perform a dance or do anything that illustrates the concept of unity. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the Black candle is blown out and the ceremony for the day is ended.

 

(Day 2): Habari gani! Kujichagulia!

 

December 27 is the second day of Kwanzaa. On Day 2, we celebrate Kujichagulia or self-determination.

 

Dr. Karenga thought of self-determination as defining who we are, creating who we are, and acting and speaking for ourselves.

 

On this second day of Kwanzaa, first the black candle is lit then the red candle (farthest to the left) is lit. Then someone will make a statement or tell a story about the principle of self-determination in his or her own life. Again, this part is very flexible. You can be as creative as you like. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the Black and Red candles are blown out and the ceremony for the day is ended.

 

 

 

 

(Day 3): Habari gani! Ujima!

 

December 28 marks the third day of Kwanzaa. On Day 3, we celebrate Ujima or collective work and responsibility.

 

Dr. Karenga thought of Ujima as building and maintaining our community together, sharing our joys and problems and solving our problems together.

 

Next we light the candles in the following order:

 

1. Black candle (in the middle) is lit
2. Red candle to the far left is lit
3. Green candle to the far right is lit

 

Then someone present will then make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of collective work and responsibility. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended.

 

 

 

 

 

(Day 4): Hari gani! Ujamaa!

 

December 29 marks the fourth day of Kwanzaa. On day 4, we celebrate Ujamaa or cooperative economics.

 

Dr. Karenga thought of the concept of Ujamaa as building and maintaining our own businesses, and supporting the businesses of others and growing and profiting from them together.

 

On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, you will light another red candle. So the order is:

 

1. Black candle (in the middle) is lit first.
2. Red candle to the far left is lit
3. Green candle to the far right is lit
4. Then another red candle is lit.

 

Then someone will make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of cooperative economics in their life or as it affects others. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended

 

 

 

 

 

(Day 5): Habari gani! Nia!

 

December 30 marks the fifth day of Kwanzaa. On day 5, we celebrate the principle of Nia or purpose.

 

Dr. Karenga thought of nia as focusing on building our communities together, maintaining them, and restoring them to greatness.

 

On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, you will light another green candle. So the order is:

 

1. Black candle (in the middle) is lit first.
2. Red candle to the far left is lit
3. Green candle to the far right is lit
4. Then another red candle is lit.
5. Then another green candle is lit.

Then someone will make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of purpose. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended.

 

(Day 6): Habari gani! Kuumba!

 

December 31st marks the 6th day of Kwanzaa and it is a very special day! On the 6th day, we celebrate the principle of Kuumba or creativity. As it is New Year’s Eve, the day is an especially festive day because it marks the end of the calendar year.

 

Dr. Karenga thought of kuumba as working hard to make our communities more beautiful and functional for today and for future generations.

 

 

 

 

 

It begins as usual with the lighting of the candles:

 

1. First, the Black candle (in the middle) is lit.
2. Red candle to the far left is lit
3. Green candle to the far right is lit
4. Then another red candle is lit.
5. Then another green candle is lit.
6. Then final red candle is lit.

 

 

On this special final day of the year, the home is specially decorated with traditional Kwanzaa colors of black, red and green. Special dishes are made for the family and guests.

 

Plays are performed, family members read out passages and poems which are related to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. A story teller enjoys the center stage in the feast on this day. The focus of the day remains on Faith. But all seven of the principles are remembered and celebrated.

 

Then the unity cup is passed around. All members who are present should remember their ancestors while the Unity cup is shared.

 

(Day 7): Habari gani! Imani!

 

The last and final day of Kwanzaa falls on January 1st, New Year’s Day.

 

The focus on the seventh day of Kwanzaa is on Imani or faith.

 

Dr. Karenga thought of Imani as believing in ourselves, our people, our parents and teachers and our leaders. Believing in the importance of our vision for a better community and for a better world.

 

 

 

 

 

Next the candles are lit:

 

Always begin with the Black candle in the center then alternate back and forth between the red and green candles until all are lit.

 

Then someone will make a statement, tell a story or discuss about the principle of creativity. Afterwards, the unity cup is filled with juice. Then it is passed around the table. Everyone takes a sip from the unity cup. After the sharing of the cup, the candles are extinguished and the ceremony for the day is ended.

 

Everyone concludes the ceremony saying "Harambee!" (which is a reminder to “let’s pull together!”) seven times—one time for each day of the Kwanzaa ceremony.

 

So, that is the celebration of Kwanzaa. You see that it can help to remember and feel the connection with your African roots, culture and heritage. There’s lots more that you can do as part of this celebration. Do it YOUR way but don’t be shy about expanding yourself and reaching for new experiences.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few final notes:

 

The daily ceremony is very simple but please remember that this is a sacred time for the family and other members present. Turn off cell phones. Focus on the rituals, the words or songs. Get into the mood. Show respect for the ceremony. It does not need to be somber. It is a joyful time but it is also a sacred time. Put all of your thought, energy and focus into these moments with your family. And remember: you can celebrate Kwanzaa and remember your cultural heritage, history and ancestors every day of the year.

 

And, as I promised in the beginning, you can get more information about Kwanzaa from Maya Angelou. She and award-winning filmmaker, MK Asante made a movie about Kwanzaa called The Black Candle. It is the first movie ever made about Kwanzaa and was filmed in the United States, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. The film discusses Kwanzaa’s growth during the Black Power movement through the modern day experience as a global pan-African movement. This is an excellent film for all ages and can help to understand the context, meaning and importance of Kwanzaa to families and communities.

 

By the way, if you have any questions about Kwanzaa or want to share your stories of how you celebrate Kwanzaa, please contact me at [email protected].

 

On that high note, A very joyous Kwanzaa from everyone at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it!