Kwanzaa is an Afrikan holiday and festive celebration which reaffirms the historical and cultural heritage of Afrikan people. Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days from 26 December to 1 January. Each of these days represents a designated principle. In total, the Seven Principles, which make up Kwanzaa, are called the NGUZO SABA:
1) UMOJA (Unity);
2) KUJICHAGUHA (Self-Determination);
3) UJIMA (Collective Work and Responsibility) ;
4) UJAMAA (Co-operative Economics);
5) NIA (Purpose);
6) KUUMBA (Creativity);
7) IMANI (Faith)
Kwanzaa is based on traditional harvest celebrations of the “First Fruits” (or crops) observed throughout Afrika, bearing various names from the many languages of our people. The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili word “kwanza”, meaning first, taken from the phrase “Matunda ya kwanza” which means, “first fruit”. Being urbanised, as most Afrikan in the Diaspora are, the harvest concept becomes symbolic of a range of achivements (educational, economic, creative etc.).
Another crucial aspect of the “first fruit” is that it represents the children, simimlar to what was articulated by revolutionary icon Amilcar Cabral: “Our children are the flowers of our struggle and the principal reason for our fight.” (1) Children/young people are absolutely central to Kwanzaa as evidenced through its rituals and aspirational focus. Indeed, the hightlight of any Kwanzaa event is the Mishumaa Saba (seven candles) lighting.
Although children occupy a key position in Kwanzaa, it’s not clear to what extent these children carry the experience and values with them into adult life. This will be explored at the upcoming Shumira on Sunday 7th December, where two young activists, Sis. Metertat and Sis. Konadu of The Umoja Projects will share there experiences and perspective on Kwanzaa under the theme, Kwanzaa: Safe In the Hands of Our Youth. It takes place at the Chestnut Community Centre, 280 St. Ann’s Road, London N15 5BN.
We also see that some child celebrants of Kwanzaa have grown into organisers like the Ituika Coalition that are holding the Kwanzaa Grand Celebration on December 27th (https://kimbungamedia.com/).
(1) Roy Carr-Hill and Gunilla Rosengart (Eds) (1982) Education Division documents.No.5: Education in Guinea Bissau 1978- 81 The lmpact of Swedish Assistance. Ministry of National Education, Bissau, and Swedish International Development Authority, p. 53
we ask the question:
How do we ensure young people embrace Kwanzaa?
1) Why are children/young people so central to Kwanzaa?
2) How can the values of Kwanzaa guide their lives?
3) What is the adult’s responsibility to upholding these values and how successful have we been?
4) How do assess the impact of Kwanzaa on the wider community?
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 and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
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