With their phony ‘Culture War’ agenda in tatters, the UK government has had to eat its words and “cancel Christmas.” (1) .
Howere, Kwanzaa the a seven-day celebration of family, community and culture, forged in the heat of the revolutionary 60s based on ancient Afrikan roots created by Dr Maulana Karenga, leader of the US organisation is still going ahead. Although this too has been affected by the circumstances of the time in that the events this year are online. Given the centrality of children to Kwanzaa it remains to be seen how their engagement will be facilitated. Nevertheless, one of the functions of Kwanzaa is for the community to assess how well it has adhered to the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) namely: 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 instead of being defined, named, created and spoken for by others; 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 best way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it; 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. (2)
In a year, defined by the coronavirus, the manner in which the community embraced the technology and embellished international links was encouraging. On the other hand that the Afrikan community did not manage to muster a collective to response to the pan/plan/scam (delete as appropriate) demic must be cause for concern.
Kwanzaa Events This year:
Saturday 26th December
Kwanzaa Celebration 2020 Online event 3-10pm (GMT)
National and international presenters. Cultural performances
PACM panafricancongressmovement@gmail.com
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Sunday 27th December
ICU UC ME Kwanzaa Celebration
6:30pm
Exploring the 7 principles of Kwanzaa through Word, Music and Dance.
Sunday the 27th of December 2020 6:30pm @poetsandmonologues #poets #poetsociety #artperformance #kwanzaa
LIVE BROADCAST:
www.facebook.com/poetsandmonologues/live : https://fb.me/e/3NSQvBmAi
Bristol Kwanzaa Karamu & Fundraiser ONLINE with proceeds to Yikake Youth Association Building Project in Ghana.
2-5 pm** Details to follow.
£5.00
Zoom details to follow.
Registration and other terms and conditions will be in place to ensure cultural privacy.
Hosted by The John Lynch Afrikan Education Programme and Community partners.
Strictly an Afrikan Family Event.
Email jlaep@hotmail.com ffi and look out for info on JLAEP social media.
GoFundMe.com/f/buildyikakeghana
Per Ankh Kwanzaa FREE event. The theme will be Kujichagulia (Self Determination). Start at 2:00pm and finish at 5:00pm.
Cairo Barrett is a fabulous 11-year young entrepreneur, who won Male Entrepreneur of the Year for Leeds, in October 2020; and Sister Esther Standford-Xosie, who is one of the greatest reparations speakers and activists, in the world!
Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration that was specially designed for Black people. You will need to register for the event in advance because we want to make sure our event is safe and secure for our children and our families. Per Ankh have limited spaces available, so please contact at: pastudygroup@yahoo.com or call 07974 511667
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Wed 30th Dec 100BMoL
https://www.jus-tickets.com/events/the-100-kwanzaa-showcase Free ticket
Time for our own Black end of year celebration.
Our young Diamonds (mentees) will be taking a lead to run the show which will feature drumming, libation, storytelling and presentations on each of the Kwanzaa Principles
In the spirit of Kwanzaa, this is not a chargeable event but a donation will be much appreciated if you can, and only if you can. Thank you! https://bit.ly/community100
Check Kwanzaa Network UK for updates: https://www.facebook.com/Kwanzaanetworkuk/
(1) Aniqah Choudhri (28/11/20) The problem with Boris trying to ‘save Christmas’. https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/comment/2020/11/28/the-problem-with-boris-trying-to-save-christmas; Warren Murray (20/12/20) ‘Christmas cancelled’: what the papers say as UK Covid bubbles burst. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/20/christmas-cancelled-what-the-papers-say-as-covid-bubbles-burst
(2) Dr. Maulana Karenga (2008) The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles). http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/7principles.shtml.
We ask the question:
Kwanzaa vs. Covid-19: Liberation or Lockdown – which way should we go?
?
1) To what extent has our community achieved the different aspects of the Nguzo saba this year?
2) How will the online factor affect this year’s celebrations?
3) Does our lack of collective response to Covid indicate a crisis of leadership?
4) What should our community priorities be for next year?
Our Special Guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.