Last December 2015 was the first time my household celebrated Kwanzaa. It was a week where my boyfriend (yes, still boyfriend status) and I spent some time each day to discuss the Nguzo Saba (7 principles), have we upheld them, and what we will do to uphold them. Read the rest of this entry
Tag Archives: community
Seven Days of Kwanzaa
Harambee marafiki! That means “Come together friends” and celebrate! I’m so excited because this year, me and my boyfriend will celebrate Kwanzaa for the first time. I’ve already set up my kinara (the candle holder) and the Mishumaa Saba (candles) that represent the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles. There’s still a few things that I’m missing but such as the mat, the corn, the Unity cup, etc.
What is Kwanzaa and what does it all mean?
December 26th marks the beginning of Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture. Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, currently a professor of Africana Studies at Cal State Long Beach (CA), in 1966 as a Pan-African and Black American holiday. You can read more about the celebration on Dr. Karenga’s website.
It doesn’t necessarily replace Christmas, so it’s not uncommon for families who celebrate Kwanzaa to include it as a part of their usual holiday season. However, this year we will use it in place of Christmas. So I’ve been taking the time to learn more about the Nguzo Saba and ways to celebrate each day.
Celebrate with us!
Speak Out!
Silence is not golden. Silence is how an idea fades, how a movement dies, and how change never comes. Although I have been quiet on the blog, I have been making noise in my offline life. About what? Almost everything Read the rest of this entry