The 57th Kwanzaa season begins tomorrow and Afrikans around the world will be synchronised in observance of this Pan-Afrikan celebration of family, community and culture. For new celebrants we offer a quick guide to some of the Kwanzaa practices
Starting on December 26, the day of Umoja (Unity) greet everyone by saying “Habari Gani.” This is a standard Kiswahili greeting meaning “what is the news?” If someone greets you, respond with the principle (Nguzo Saba) for that day:
December 26: “Umoja” — Unity
December 27: “Kujichagulia” — Self-determination
December 28: “Ujima” — Collective work and responsibility
December 29: “Ujamaa” — Cooperative economics
December 30: “Nia” — Purpose
December 31: “Kuumba” — Creativity
January 1: “Imani” — Faith. (1)
You can also generally greet with the phrase: “Kwanzaa Yenu Iwe Na Heri!” Which means Have A Happy & Fruitful Kwanzaa. Or simply “Heri Za Kwanzaa!” (Happy Kwanzaa).
For those observing Kwanzaa in the home, a shrine is set up using the following items:
Mkeka – straw mat, represents the foundation.
Kinara – candle holder
Mishumaa saba – 7 candles (one Black, Three Red, Three Green), one for each day of celebration / each principle. (Black for the people, Red for the struggle, Green for the future and the hope that comes from the struggle and for the land
Mazao – crops – fruits, vegetable, and nuts
Muhindi – ears of corn, which represent the number children in the family (one ear of corn per child in the family). If no children are in the family, 2 ears of corn are set out to represent children in the community.
Kikombe cha umoja – unity cup
Zawadi – gifts, preferably books, educational toys, or artwork – something that educates and enriches.
Bendera – the flag
Nguzo saba poster – poster that shares the 7 principles.
Books – to represent ongoing learning & education, and to serve as gifts. (2)
Before lighting the mishumaa, the Tamshi la tambiko – libation statement is read out. The mishumaa are placed in the kinara with black in the centre, three red on the left and three green on the right. (3)
The Harambee (Kiswahili for let us all pull together) chant can be said at any time, usually after a significant act and is chanted seven times, in honor of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, with both hands being raised up and pulled down to the side with each ‘Harambee’ chant. (4)
The mishumaa for the day’s principle are lit by the children in order of age (guided by the adults) beginning with the black candle, (Umoja). Then they are lit in alternate left and right, lighting from inward to outward. Thus, after the black candle, the red candle closest to it, Kujichagulia is lit. Next the green candle Ujima closest to the black is lit. The sequence is followed with alternating red and green lighting until the last candle, the green candle Imani is lit. (5)
The lighting of the mishumaa is followed by a family discussion about the day’s principle.
You can also engage in these activities at the community Kwanzaa events.
KWANZAA UK EVENTS 2023
UMOJA (Unity) 26th Dec (1st day)
Pan-African Congress Movement (PACM)
& Community Kwanzaa
4pm to 8pm @ Tottenham Community Sports Centre,
701-703 High Road, London N17 8AD
Info/Stalls 07510 249 828 / 07495 954 297
panafricancongressmovement@gmail.com
Admission Free (Donations Welcome)
KUJICHAGULIA (Self-Determination) 27th Dec (2nd day)
John Lynch African Education Programme
2pm to 10pm @ Malcolm X Community Centre,
141 City Road, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8YH
Info/Stalls 07546 449 589
Bring food and drink to share
Per Ankh Community Enterprise
3pm to 8pm @ Leeds Caribbean & African Centre CIC,
10 Laycock Place, Leeds, LS7 3JA
Info/Stalls 07400 908 633 / 07930 447 246
pastudygroup@yahoo.com
Adm: £5. Children Under 16 Free
PACM/African Caribbean Self-Help Organisation
7pm to 10.30pm @ Legacy Centre of Excellence,
144 Potters Lane, Birmingham, B6 4UU
Info/Stalls 07939 241 650
bikospirit@gmail.com
Adm: Free. Donations welcome
UJAMAA (Co-operative Economics) 29th Dec (4th day)
Rebirth Of The Griot
6pm-10pm, Tottenham Community Sports Centre, N17 8AD, Entry: Donation
PACM
7pm-10pm (Doors open 5pm) @ The Heritage Centre,
Clifford Street, Wolverhampton, WV6 0AA.
Info/stalls: 07546 952 955
Adm: Free. Donations welcome
NIA (Purpose) 30th Dec (5th day)
Afruika Bantu Saturday School, Alkebu-Lan Academy of Excellence, Campaign for Truth & Justice, Garvey Villaage and Nubia African Community Foundation School
2pm to 8pm @ Harris Peckham Academy, 112 Peckham Road, London, SE15 5DZ
Adm: £8 (Until 26/12@Eventbrite) / More On The Door
IMANI (Faith) 1st Jan (7th day)
PACM & African Community
4pm-9pm, 74 Carmoor Road, Chorlton-on-Medlock, M13 0FB. Info: 07884 444 080. Stalls: 07481 146 027
Adm: Free. Donations welcome.
(1) Britta Wilhelmsen (26/10/22) Phrases That Uncover the Holiday’s Origins. https://mangolanguages.com/resources-articles/3-swahili-phrases-to-learn-in-honor-of-kwanzaa-this-year/
(2) Addie Fisher (20/12/19) How To Celebrate Kwanzaa. https://oldworldnew.us/celebrating-kwanzaa/
(3) Maulana Karenga (2002) Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture. University of Sankore Press. p. 97
(4) Karenga. p. 96
(5) African America Cultural Centre (2023) Lighting the Kinara during Kwanzaa. https://africanamericanculturalcenter-la.org/lifting-up-the-light-that-lasts/
Kwanzaa Yenu Iwe Na Heri (Have A Happy & Fruitful Kwanzaa)!!!
Call in or text in to let us know what Kwanzaa means to you and who you want to send Kwanzaa greetings to.
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