This year’s Kwanzaa events in the Virgin Islands are dedicated to three individuals recognized as culture-bearers in the territory: Edward Nab Eddie Bob Collier, professor Gene Emanuel and Ras JahStarr Koniyah. All three passed away in the last three years, and each left a legacy of promoting Pan-African traditions.
Dara Monifah Cooper has taken up the mantle, and announced a schedule of events for the week-long observance beginning Dec. 26. Cooper has been involved planning local Kwanzaa events “since about 2002, when I moved back home” from the mainland, she said.
Her dedication led her to found a nonprofit, KWANZAA365, and its sister organization, Sankofa Saturdays Youth Cultural Education Initiative, which, according to her press release, “ includes workshops/seminars, culturally edu-training events, edu-clothing, artwork, literary work and mentorship.”
In addition to her volunteer work, Cooper works at the Cooperative Extension Center at the University of the Virgin Islands.
Kwanzaa was developed by Maulana Karenga (formerly Ronald Everett), now a professor of African Studies at California State University, and first celebrated in the U.S. in 1966. While its roots are in the Black Power struggle in the U.S., Kwanzaa has expanded over the years. Proponents say it is celebrated by millions of people throughout the world.
Taken from the Swahili phrase mat unda ya kwanza, roughly translated to “first fruits of the harvest,” Kwanzaa celebrates seven core principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
A first this year will be a public Kwanzaa display at Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas. Cooper said Government House asked her to put together the display, which will be unveiled at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Eve of Kwanzaa.
There will be a drum circle on Tuesday and, at sundown, there will be a showing of the film documentary The Black Candle, directed by M.K. Asante Jr. and narrated by Maya Angelou. There will also be an opportunity for families and individuals to draw names out of a box in preparation for participation in a community gift exchange.
The gift exchange takes place as part of a potluck at Brewers Beach the last day of Kwanzaa, Jan. 1. In between opening and closing dates, discussions and lectures are planned, as are fashion shows, live music and a host of other activities.
Cooper said the opening and closing events are usually the most well attended, and she would normally anticipate 50 to 75 participants. However, the exhibit and film may draw many more, she said.
There are also several pre-Kwanzaa events scheduled, beginning Thursday and going through the weekend. Most of the activities announced as of Wednesday take place on St. Thomas. Cooper said some who have sponsored events on St. Croix in past years, are not involved this time. But she stressed that some activities may be added.
Currently the schedule is as follows:
PRE-KWANZAA EVENTS
Dec. 20 7-8 p.m. – Pan African Support Group Radio Program on WSTA 1340 AM Call in to: 340-774-1340 Dec. 22 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Vegan/Vegetarian Food Fair Fort Christian Parking Lot;
Dec. 23 10 a.m. – noon – Per Ankh Inc. KWANZAA365 & Sankofa Saturdays radio program (on Blogtalk. Call in to listen. Press 1 to speak: 1(917)932-8605)
Dec. 25 from 4:30 p.m. Unveiling of the Kwanzaa exhibit, Ancestral Remembrance Drum Circle & Showing of The Black Candle (International Kwanzaa Celebrations Documentary) @Sundown Emancipation Garden
… Locally the first day of Kwanzaa is celebrated on all islands simultaneously:
UMOJA (UNITY)
ST. CROIX Dec. 26 at 6 p.m. Daily Nguzo Saba Observances for Kwanzaa
Per Ankh Khamniversity Institute & Khammunity For info call: 340-244-2524 or email perankh@gmail.com.
ST. JOHN Dec. 26, 6 p.m. AKA Sigma Theta Omega Chapter Cruz Bay Park
Call Annette Henderson at 998-3530
ST. THOMAS Dec. 26 6 -10 p.m. – African Diaspora Youth Development Foundation Wesley Methodist Educational Complex Tutu (next to Four Winds Plaza/across the street from Gomez school) Call Marcella Jaribu Jennings at 473-7274
KUJICHAGULIA (SELF-DETERMINATION) Dec. 27, 6:30 – 11 p.m.
Pan-Afrikan Support Group & Environmental Rangers Charlotte Amalie High School cafeteria Contact Leba Ola-Niyi at 340-998-1792
UJIMA(COLLECTIVE WORK & RESPONSIBILITY) Dec. 28 5 – 9 p.m.
The Sankofa Family, Smokey Frett & KWANZAA365 host the Community Video Screening of “500 Years Later” and “Motherland,” open dialogue after at Arian’s Bar & Restaurant in Sub Base.
UJAMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS) Dec. 29, 3 p.m. – midnight
Beach Fyah @ Coki Point "KONIYAH – KWANZAA – SANKOFA" (live music concert, fashion show, local foods, arts &crafts, bonfire)
NIA (PURPOSE) Dec. 30, 10 a.m. – noon
Per Ankh, Inc. KWANZAA365 & Sankofa Saturdays Radio program (on Blogtalk Call in to listen. Press one for entry: 1 (917) 932-8605)
Bordeaux Farmers Market (all day) at the Bordeaux Market St. Thomas Association of Road Runners (STARR)
7 Principles Run (4.3 mile) @ 4:30 p.m. UVI’s soccer field Call Roy Watlington at 340-777-8183 "Dance Nice Again" from 7 p.m. Strictly Conscious Reggae Dance Natural Livity Kulcha Shop
KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) Dec. 31
Ital Ase hosts Sunrise and sunset Hatha Yoga Brewers Beach
IMANI (FAITH) Jan. 1 from 1 p.m. until
United Communities Kwanzaa Potluck on Brewers Beach –Bring a natural dish or seasonal refreshment.
