Children of all ages gathered Monday at the Enid Baa library on St. Thomas to learn the history of Kwanzaa during the third day of the weeklong celebration.
Akinyemi and Mariel Blake, master and mistress of Monday’s ceremony, and DaraMonifah Cooper, founder of KWANZAA365, worked together to teach the history of Kwanzaa, its principles and how it is practiced in different parts of the world.
Kwanzaa was started in California in 1966 by African-American scholar Maulana Karenga as a time to reflect on family, community and culture. “His purpose was to create specific practices that would strengthen the family’s foundation,” Cooper said.
Celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, the holiday is centered around Nguzu Saba, which is Swahili for seven principles.
Kwanzaa’s seven principles are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination). Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). Each day’s celebration relates to the principle of that day, and a candle is lit in honor of the principle.
The name Kwanzaa came from the Swahili phrase “Matunda Ya Kwanzaa,” which means “first fruits of the harvest.” Many African countries hold harvest celebrations, and Karenga wanted to honor that tradition in America.
Gifts are also given during Kwanzaa, and Cooper explained that the gifts are educational or creative, such as books, musical instruments, or handmade jewelry and crafts. “Usually you give a gift a day, something heartfelt, with the intent of instilling pride, faith and unity,” Cooper said.
The teaching efforts by Cooper and the Blakes were a perfect example of Kwanzaa’s principle of Ujima, or collective work and responsibility, the theme of Kwanzaa’a third day of celebration.
Children were encouraged to ask questions about the seven principles, the Swahili language and the meaning of the seven Adinkra symbols that originated in Ghana and adorn each of the seven principles.
According to Cooper, the symbols can be found in gates and fences throughout the territory due to the fact that a large number of Virgin Islanders are originally from Ghana.
Quite a few of the 25 children at the library were already familiar with Kwanzaa. Shaleah Roberts, who attends the Yvonne E. Milliner-Bowsky Elementary School, said she learned all about Kwanzaa in school.
The children were also encouraged to play one of the many instruments provided by Cooper. They laughed and sang while banging on goatskin drums and playing the balafon, an instrument similar to the xylophone that is made with wood and calabash.
Although Kwanzaa is a pan-African holiday, Cooper stressed the fact that Kwanzaa is now celebrated by many different nationalities because the principles of Kwanzaa can strengthen any community.
“We need to pass on traditions and values that aren’t being passed on right now,” Cooper stressed.
In honor of the principle of Ujima, Cooper is also putting together a grass-roots business and services/bartering directory. Due to the hard economic times, bartering has become popular on the mainland, and Cooper hopes it will catch on in the territory.
Anyone interested in signing up for Cooper’s business and services directory can pick up an application at the SPLURGE/KWANZAA365 headquarters located at 32 Norre Gade, Suite 2.
The weeklong Kwanzaa celebration continues tomorrow with a “Village Karamu” feast and a film screening of “The Black Candle” from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Banana Leaf Bistro. The cost is $10 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.
