Kwanzaa

 
In jest this morning my sister-in-law, pigeon sister #3 wished my a Happy Kwanzaa.  Of course I wished her one back and sat down to drink my morning coffee.  As I sat drinking my Jamaica Me Crazy Java, I started to ponder on this Kwanzaa Holiday thing.  What did I actually know about Kwanzaa?  For sure I know that it is some sort of African-American holiday.  What else do I know?  NOTHING was the answer.  After 2.8 seconds, I fired up my laptop so I could do some real research on Kwanzaa.  Here is what I came up with.

Kwanzaa is celebrated by the African-American community from December 26th to January 1st every year.  Established by Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is a holiday that honors African heritage and celebrates family, community, and culture. It takes its name from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which in Swahili means "first fruits."  Not to be confused with hakuna matatta from the Lion King.  Kwanzaa's origin lies in the 1960s civil rights and Black Freedom movements, and is a way of commemorating the African heritage of black Americans whose ethnic history was stripped away by the slave trade. Swahili is the most widely spoken African language, and was thus chosen as the language of Kwanzaa's principles.  According to Karenga, "Kwanzaa was created to reaffirm and restore our rootedness in African culture." It is a cultural rather than religious holiday, and can be celebrated regardless of a person's faith tradition.  "First fruits" celebrations date back to ancient Egypt and Nubia, and commemorate the harvest.

The Unity Cup

So what do people do during Kwanzaa?  Well, it appears that true revelers gather during Kwanzaa to light the kinara, a candle holder with seven candles in the colors of red, black, and green. The black candle is placed in the center and used to light the other flames from left to right. Together, the candles are called the mishuuma saba, and they represent the Seven Principles.  Other traditions include the kikombe cha umoja, or Unity Cup, which is used to pour libations in honor of ancestors departed.  Songs and dances are a popular way of celebrating Kwanzaa. "Lift Every Voice And Sing," also known as the Black National Anthem, is a song that celebrates the struggles and triumphs of black Americans.  So there you have it, Kwanza 101 condensed down into 2 paragraphs.  An interesting holiday to say the least.

 So what's The Bottom Line here?  It appears to me that it is a compilation of Christmas and Hanuka combined into one week of celebration.  I especially like toasting libations to deceased loved ones.  I would be half in the bag by noon on the first day.  I think the big question here is can white folks celebrate Kwanzaa?  The answer is kinda!  Even though you may not have African heritage, you can celebrate Kwanzaa.  It is meant to pull communities together.  However, I am guessing that if a lily white Irishman like myself would wander into the black community dressed in a Dashiki suit it may turn some heads as well as some .45 revolvers.  I just can't seem to decide if this Kwanzaa is legit or just something made up to throw into the December mix of holidays.  For most of us we scoff and chuckle when we hear Kwanzaa.  On paper, Kwanzaa sounds like a great holiday.  In principle I just wonder if anyone actually celebrates it the correct way???

Holy shit, I forgot that it's Boxing Day in Canada!