Dec. 27, 2006 — The weeklong worldwide celebration of Kwanzaa began Tuesday, and V.I. residents are honoring their heritage by recognizing and finding ways to utilize Kwanzaa's seven principles.
This year Kwanzaa celebrations have moved back into the homes, according to ChenziRa Kahina, co-director of Per Ankh Holistic Retreat and Sanctuary on St. Croix. "Because of the nature of the world," Kahina said, "a number of people are taking Kwanzaa where it should be — in the home."
Kwanzaa, an African-American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community and culture, is celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. The name, Kwanzaa, is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits" in Swahili.
Per Ankh's annual celebration of the holiday began with the customary lighting of candles in recognition of Kwanzaa and the seven principles. Tuesday morning's celebration was, Kahina said, meant to "open up the day with honor and unity." According to Kahina, the purpose of the first principle, Umoja, is in working towards maintaining unity within families and the community.
Kahina said Kwanzaa celebrations in the territory have been catered to our specific agriculture, using fresh fruits from the residents' gardens to dress the table. "We see agriculture as a foundation of unity in our culture," Kahina said.
According to Kahina, children are a big part of Kwanzaa and are essential in decorating the area and coordinating meals. Jahweh David, a member of the Pan-African Support Group on St. Thomas, agreed on the importance of children being involved in the celebration of Kwanzaa. David said all gifts given during the seven-day celebration are made or help the recipient learn something they can use to better their community.
"Gifts given should be something pertaining to culture or empowerment," David said. "No regular toys, like trucks or dolls, are given to children."
Ron Everett, known to many as Dr. Maulana Karenga, is recognized for bringing the celebration of Kwanzaa to the United States in the mid 1960s. Karenga said Kwanzaa could be celebrated by anyone. "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday," Karenga said.
Celebrators of Kwanzaa in the territory say the seven principles honored over the seven days are to be incorporated within families and communities throughout the year. Kwanzaa is not just a cultural celebration. It is an attempt to establish a way of life with man as the center of worship and reverence.
According to Karenga, the seven principles are:
– Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race;
– Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves;
– Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together;
– Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together;
– Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness;
– Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it; and
– Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
For more information on Kwanzaa, visit the Kwanzaa website.
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