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Kwanzaa: Festival for the
Afrikan Diaspora
by Baba Kelechi Egwim, Ph.D.
Afrikan people,
including those living on the Afrikan continent, live in a constant state of
abnormal normality. In every aspect of our lives (i.e. education, entertainment,
economics, labor, law, politics, religion, sex and war), our day-to-day
activities are saturated with the system of white supremacy. We find ourselves
having to function in the context of a system that defines us as a threat, and
at the same time, as inferior. This necessarily leads to dis-function and
cultural schizophrenia. Unfortunately, we have been living and (dis)functioning
under this system for so long that we have internalized it and now actualized it
in our cultural identity crisis. Most of us now find it difficult to identify
with our Afrikan culture and this has only served to further erode the strength
of our communities.
A large part of the
strength-giving culture of Afrikan people is the festivals practiced throughout
the continent. Afrikan festivals, in addition to being expressions of our pride
as a people, celebrate the things we value and give us an opportunity to thank
the Creator for all that is given to us. While there is no one universal Afrikan
festival practiced all over the continent, there are universal themes for the
festivals, which are usually centered on the harvest.
The seven-day
festival of Kwanzaa (First Fruits) represents the many thanksgiving and
pride-giving festivals practiced by Afrikan peoples all over the Afrikan
continent. Even though Kiswahili is the language chosen for the festival of
Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa is not exclusive to Kiswahili speaking peoples. Kwanzaa is
an opportunity for all Afrikan people, all through the Diaspora, to express
thanks to the Creator and reflect on our collective hopes and aspirations as a
people for the following year. Kwanzaa is a time for us to reinforce our
family/community relationships. It is an opportunity for Afrikan people to
universally and collectively resound our oneness (Harambee!) as one people and
reflect on the power of our collective consciousness and efforts.
We, the Kwanzaa
Planning Committee, invite all Afrikan people, regardless of their religion,
nationality or language, to celebrate Kwanzaa with us. Kwanzaa is a
proactive festival in a time when we as a people need it most.
Kwanzaa Events Calendar 2004-05
UMOJA (Unity) Sun., Dec. 26th
Candle-lighting Celebration & Program; The Afrocentric
Academic Challenge, dinner sales & African Market Place; 7:00 pm. Sponsored by
the USC & the Independent Afrikan Schools at Roots Charter School, 15 Kennedy
St. NW. Call (202) 277-7809 or (202) 529-3635.
47th Annual Celebration Performance of the African
Heritage Dancers & Drummers, 7:00 pm. Lincoln Theater 131h & U St. NW. For
ticket information, call (202) 399-5252 or (202) 255-3273.
Odwira Ancestral Akom. Sponsored by Temple of Nyame
at 949 Bonifant St. Silver Spring, MD. 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Call (202) 678-3100
for more information.
KUJICHAGULIA (Self-determination) Mon., Dec. 27th
Candle Lighting Service, Kwanzaa Workshop and Forum
(Pan Africanism & Kwanzaa) The Spoken Word & music by Eric Lewis & Friends, 6:00
pm. Sponsored by USC & The Umoja House Gallery, 2015 Bunker Hill Road NE. Call
(202) 526-4039.
Candle Lighting Service and Program, 7:30 pm.
Sponsored by The Ausar Auset Society, 5920 Georgia Ave. NW. (202) 723-5566.
Kwanzaa Candle-lighting Service and performance of the
group Cirius B from Philadelphia. Cada Vez 15th & U St. NW at 6:00 pm. For
ticket information, call (301) 736-0791.
UJIMA (Collective Work & Responsibility) Tues., Dec. 28th
Kwanzaa Candle-lighting Service sponsored by House of
Ra Inner Attainment and Friends. Hip-Hop, Go-Go, Neo-Soul & Poetry. 7:00 pm at
5920 Georgia Ave. NW. Call (202) 368-5020.
UJAMAA (Cooperative Economics) Wed., Dec. 29th
Candle Lighting Service & Program, 7:00 pm. Sponsored
by Ujamaa Shule, 8m & Q Sts. NW. Call (202)232-2997.
NIA (Purpose) Thurs., Dec. 30th
351h Annual Kwanzaa Childrens Celebration, Peoples
Congregational United Church 4704 13th St. NW. 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Sponsored by
Kwanzaa Childrens Party, Inc. & The Children and Youth Ministry Program. Ages
3 12, adult must accompany children.
Candle-lighting Service & Program, 7:00 pm. Sponsored
by The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Roots Activity Learning
Center, 6222 North Capitol St. NW. Feast, African market place, spoken word,
etc. Call (202) 529-3635 or (202) 543-7023
Saleem & Ivys 8th Annual NIA Night Celebration, 6:30
pm. To Be African Traditional Ceremony & Rites of Passage blessing, as well as
The New World Ensemble. At the Zanzibar, 700 Water St. SW. For ticket
information, call (301) 736-0791.
Kwanzaa Harvest Festival, 7:00 pm. Sponsored by the
Yoruba Temple. Mt. Ararat Outreach Center, 4809 Suitland Rd. Call (202) 667-0681
KUUMBA (Creativity) Friday, Dec. 31t
Candle-lighting Service & Karamu (Feast), 7:30 pm.
Sponsored by The Nubian International Hand Dance Association at Roots Public
Charter School, 15 Kennedy St. NW. Bring a wholesome African! natural food dish
to share and come bring in the new year with us! Call (202) 726-1933.
IMANI (Faith) Saturday, Jan. 2005
Kwanzaa Faith Celebration and African Consciousness
Award Presentation, 7:00 pm. (This years recipient: Nana Kwabena Brown) at
Nation House, 770 Park Road NW, sponsored by USC & ADACI.
Call (202) 526-4039 or (301) 277-7809.
Free The Land Annual Kwanzaa 3.1 mile - 5 mile Fun
Run, Walk. Lake Artemesia Park, Greenbelt, MD. Call (202) 726-6960.
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