The Celebration of Kwanzaa Day 7: Imani (faith)

Hello history lovers and welcome to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making it.

 

Habari gani,

 

I’m Robin the host and in-house historian at rememberinghistory.com and I’m so glad that you’ve come back for this great and groundbreaking show. We’ve been doing something a bit different from our usual podcast show when we talk about different issues affecting the African American community, and discuss the great contributions of African Americans to their communities, the country and world. Today we are celebrating the last and final day of Kwanzaa. Wow, what an experience but it’s coming to an end. And we will focus on an issue that is deeply rooted in African and African American culture: faith (or as we say in Swahili: Imani).

 

I’ll begin—as usual--by bidding you the traditional greeting of Kwanzaa in the Swahili language: Habari gani! If you’re just joining us, you’re very glad to have you with us and I would strongly urge you to listen to the 7 previous podcasts that introduce Kwanzaa and explain each of the days of Kwanzaa.

 

We learned yesterday that Kuumba or creativity is linked to finding and living your purpose (called Nia). They are both founded on knowing your historical and cultural identity. Your creativity is YOUR unique way of making the world into a better place; a place that is more beautiful, more beneficial and more productive than when you were born. If you have any questions, please contact us at rememberinghistory.com website or the Wiki History Podcast page on Facebook. Stay with us today—everyone is welcome around the Kwanzaa mat (the mkeka)—but please take time to listen to the previous shows.

 

Let’s prepare ourselves to begin to Kwanzaa celebration for the seventh and final day. Take a deep cleansing breath before the celebration begins or find another way to quiet and focus your thoughts and energy. Perhaps you want to stand and do a few stretching movements. Just take a moment to get centered and ready to begin the celebration. Remember Kwanzaa IS a celebration but please also show respect for this solemn ritual.

 

Day 7: Imani (faith)

 

Habari gani! Your response: Imani!

 

One more time: Habari gani! Imani!

 

Now please give me the Swahili greeting. (pause) Imani!

 

The 7th day of Kwanzaa falls on January 1st. That’s right on New Year’s Day.

 

The last day of Kwanzaa...the first day of the New Year...has been a time of serious appraisal for African people. Also known as the "Day of Meditation" or "Day of Assessment," it is a period of self-reflection related to things done and things yet to be done. Following in this tradition, it is a time to ask yourself AGAIN the following three questions that we started with on Day 1: "Who am I?" - "Am I really who I say I am" - "Am I all I ought to be?" In addition, this is also a day when many Kwanzaa participants choose to pay particular homage to the ancestors...those of the community as well as those of the family.

 

This seventh day of Kwanzaa is Imani! Again, it means faith. What does faith mean in the context of Kwanzaa?

 

Dr. Karenga thought of Imani as believing in ourselves, our people, our parents and teachers, our leaders and the righteousnessness and victory of our struggle. It also stresses the importance of our vision for a better community and for a better world.

 

In the context of African spirituality, faith begins with a belief in the Creator (God) and in the positivity of the creation. Recognizing that all African spiritual traditions believe that we are formed in the image of the Creator, we are capable of self-mastery and development in the context of positive support, the ability to self-correct, care for and be responsible for each other. This allows us to also believe in our ability to create a just and good society. Faith in ourselves is essential.

 

 

 

We must also believe in the value and validity of our struggle for liberation, equality and justice and for a higher level of living. Many people link this to the belief in our capacity to carry out our role in history with dignity. This role is to start a new path and history for other oppressed people and establish a new paradigm for humanity.

 

This faith gives us the strength to invent, innovate and reach inside ourselves to find our true selves. We must not imitate others, particularly people who do not have our best interests at heart. We have the strength to struggle and ultimately prevail.

 

In the final analysis, we must have faith in ourselves and the people who support us. With love and understanding, we can step back onto the stage of human history as a free, proud and productive people.

 

Faith in our Creator (for many African Americans, this would be Jesus Christ) is well-established in the African American community. From the Negro spirituals, AME church, the Church of God in Christ and numerous other churches, faith is our source of strength and our ability to endure and overcome any hardship. And most of our popular leaders have usually emerged from the church. However, it is also been a source of “enslavement” by limiting our options and requiring that we endure and suffer through what should never be endured or suffered. Still, faith in our Creator will undoubtedly remain strong in the African American community as it is rooted in African spiritual traditions.

 

In modern times, many African Americans are linking their spiritual faith with their cultural heritage. The celebration of Kwanzaa has been the result. And this has enhanced our historical and cultural identity as well as our political expertise and strength. Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X (later el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz), Minister Louis Farrakhan, Reverend Al Sharpton, Reverend Jesse Jackson are modern leaders rooted in faith-based activism. Other leaders who came before them were Bishop Richard Allen who was born into slavery, later purchased his freedom and founded the AME church. Then there was Bishop William J. Seymour who founded the modern Pentacostal church and preached a radical Christianity. I can never forget James Cone who dedicated his life to confronting racism in the United States through his experiences in ministry, education, and authorship. He published the landmark book, A Black Theology of Liberation.

Finally, Alexander Crummell was an American scholar, an Episcopalian minister, and founder of the American Negro Academy, which was the first major learned society for African Americans. Alexander Crummel was also an early advocate of African-American self-help and self achievement. There have been many others. And they walked the line between spirituality and progressive politics.

 

Let’s end here but I want to mention—again—the landmark book by James Cone called Black Theology of Liberation. This is a great book for anyone who thinks that they must choose between spirituality and racial progress. He also wrote God of the Oppressed and Black Theology & Black Power. All were perspective changing books for anyone stuck in the belief that it’s all about the struggle or that we as a people must wait for our “pie in the sky.”

 

Now let’s prepare to light the Kwanzaa 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 farthest to the left is lit.
5. Then another green candle farthest to the right is lit.
6. Then final red candle is lit.
7. Last of all will be the green candle.

 

Take a moment to enjoy the beautifully illuminated candleholder (the kinara). Let’s enjoy the beauty of all seven candles on the kinara.

 

Now let’s read a story about the concept of Imani, the concept of faith. This final story will be read by my husband, Jonas.

 

Damon and Pythias

(While not an African Folktale, has always been one of my favorite stories and it demonstrates the principle very well.)

There was once a king who was thought of as a tyrant. His people hated him. He really wasn't such a bad person, but he had very bad advisors and they did cruel things in his name. They made him believe that he couldn't trust the people. So since he never listened to the people, he never found out what his advisors were doing. Whether he was a bad person or not, he was a bad king.

In the town near the king's castle, there was a group of rebels. They decided that the only way to change things was to get rid of this king. They though that if they killed the king, his death would be a warning to the next king. So they held a meeting to see who would volunteer to assassinate the king.

Among these rebels was a young man named Pythias. He said that he would volunteer, but that he had to wait for two days, just until his sister was married. Their father was dead and he was the only one who could perform the ceremony so that she could be properly married. They told him that they couldn't wait for two days, because the king was going to be out of the castle that following day on a hunting trip and it would be the only chance to get to him. So finally, Pythias agreed to do it.

He was hiding in the forest the next morning with bow and arrow ready, but someone saw him and warned the king before he got a chance to shoot. Pythias was captured and brought before the king. The king's advisor suggested that they bring Pythias to the town center and execute him in front of everybody as an example of what would happen to rebels.

Pythias did not regret what he had done. And he accepted his fate, but he pleaded with the king to give him one day to take care of his family business and see his sister properly married.

The king laughed and said, "I will let you go if someone else is willing to take your place and die in your place if you fail to return."

Now Pythias had a best friend named Damon. Even though Damon was not a rebel, he was a true friend to Pythias. There was nothing they wouldn't do for each other. So Pythias called out to the crowd and asked for someone to find Damon.

When Damon was brought there, the king asked if he was willing to take Pythias' place on the gallows until he returned. Much to the amazement of the king, Damon agreed.

The king couldn't believe his ears. But since he had made a promise, he had to keep his word. Pythias was released and Damon was chained in his place.

Pythias rode as fast as he could, gathered his family together and performed the wedding ceremony. He took care of all his business and was heading back to the town center, when his horse fell and broke its leg. Pythias still had miles to go and he was on foot.

Meanwhile, the king, who never believed that Pythias would come back, was telling Damon what a fool he was.

"I have never seen anyone so foolish in all my life!" the king said, "He won't come back."

"You have never seen true friendship." Damon answered.

The king was sure that no man would voluntarily come back to his own execution. But Damon was equally sure that his friend would not leave him to die.

Pythias had until midday to return. If he was not back by then, Damon would be killed. Pythias was running until he could hardly breathe, but he didn't slow down. Finally, he saw a man riding by and begged him for a ride.

"Please!" he pleaded, "I must return to the town center or my best friend will be executed in my place."

Pythias quickly told the man his story and the answered, "It is quite a story you tell. I would never forgive myself if I didn't see it through to the end."

Pythias jumped onto the back of the man's horse and they raced to the town center just as the rope was being put around Damon's neck.

"Wait!" shouted Pythias, "I am here!" The king was shocked!

"I told you he would return." said Damon proudly.

"In all my life I have never seen such friendship," said the king, "And now that I have seen it, I could never destroy it. I will let Pythias go free on the condition that you accept me as a friend as well."

Damon and Pythias and the king became the best of friends. And with true friends at his side, the king began to see what bad advice he had been taking all those years. He sent away his former advisors and with the advice of Damon and Pythias, he became a just and fair king.

If you like, you can discuss this story and what it meant to you. No pressure or demands. This is a time of sharing for those who wish to share. And a time of listening for those who prefer to listen.

Now let’s fill and pass the unity cup (kikomba cha umoja). Everyone take a sip.

Since this is the final day of Kwanzaa, so we will change from our previous days. At this time, we will stand and hold hands and say:

 

Harambee! Seven times-- one time for each day of the Kwanzaa ceremony.

 

Harambee means “let’s pull together!” in Swahili.

 

Ready?

 

Harambee!

Harambee!

Harambee!

Harambee!

Harambee!

Harambee!

Harambee!

 

Now let’s blow out all the candles.

 

This concludes the celebration of Kwanzaa.

 

 

Just a final note, Kwanzaa (or the principles of Kwanzaa) can be celebrated throughout the year, not only in December. Although it is connected with the harvest, it can be recognized every day. That’s actually a good idea; you can focus on one principle each day and how you can incorporate it into your life and pass it on to other people in your life.

 

Let’s just repeat them now:

 

Umoja (unity)

Kujichagulia (self determination)

Ujima (collective work and responsibility)

Ujamaa (cooperative economics)

Nia (purpose)

Kuumba (creativity)

Imani (faith)

 

Congratulations on completing Kwanzaa. And a special thanks to Eshu for his fantastic Kwanzaa stories that you can find at www.folktales.net. And a special thanks to my dear husband Jonas and amazing son for reading some of the Kwanzaa stories on this podcast show.

 

Let’s come to a close now.

 

Thanks so much for joining us at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history AND we’re making it. Every day. Bye for now. Harambee!!