A Kwanzaa Year + a Playlist
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
We continue the season of ritual and candlelight with Kwanzaa. The holiday originated in the 1960s, ignited shortly after (and partly because of) the murder of Malcolm X. It’s a relatively new celebration in comparison to our other December holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas, but nonetheless full of beauty. Kwanzaa (originally spelled Kwanza, upon which the American holiday of Kwanzaa is based) is steeped in symbolism. It’s a non-religious holiday that honors African heritage and culture.
The holiday’s name is also symbolic, meaning ‘first fruits.’ African first fruits celebrations honor family and community, as does Kwanzaa. The holiday begins on December 26th and lasts for seven nights, with a symbolic candle lit each evening -- three red, three green, and one black candle.
The three colors represent the Pan-African flag and African gods. Red represents the struggle for freedom, while black is hope and green is the earth and all it gives us. Each evening, one of the seven candles is lit from the kinara candle holder, which represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Beyond candle lighting, Kwanzaa celebrations include storytelling, music, and family feasts called karamu. Seven symbols of African culture are included, such as place mats called mkeka and mazao consisting of nuts, fruits, and vegetables. A communal unity cup is included, while ears of corn represent the joy of children. Also during the feasts is the tradition of gifting one another, or zawadi.
Each of the seven days has its own theme, outlined here.
1) Unity
Day one! Dec 26th is Umoja (unity), when the middle black candle is lit to represent unity, family, and success. The Umoja (unity cup) is filled with juice, wine, or other libations and passed around to family members. Listen: Feeling unity with family and achieving success both require strong mental health. Diversity Telehealth is here for you. The local business offers affordable personal memberships and public school programs.
2) Self-Determination
Day two! Dec 27th is Kujichagulia (self-determination), when the far-left red candle is lit. The family member who lights the candle brings up the theme of self-determination, before the unity cup is shared. This day is about how to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves. So naturally, we turn to TUF Club, our gym partner at The Nelle. The KC fitness brand, led by owner Jabari Washington, is bringing a diverse range of classes and personal training to the entire third floor of our Nellie headquarters.
3) Collective Work & Responsibility
Day three! Dec 28th is Ujima (collective work and responsibility). On this night, a family member lights the far left green candle to represent a commitment to community. As the unity cup is passed around, the importance of our community is shared. It’s about making our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our own and solving them together. With that goal, we highlight The Prospect, a local nonprofit that educates in healthy eating, culinary training, and entrepreneurship. ‘From opening a first checking account to opening a restaurant, our wrap-around services set our clients on a path to a good living wage and a fulfilling career.’
4) Cooperative Economics
Day four! Dec 29th is Ujamaa (cooperative economics). It’s time to light the second red candle, share the unity cup, and talk about supporting our community with our dollars. It means shopping small and building our own stores. This one especially hits home as local restaurants and shops shutter because of the pandemic. So here’s to helping Ça Va and Westside Local and Blue Stem and all the other lovely local businesses come back in 2021. We need them. They matter. One business we are supporting is also one that adds light and creativity to our life: Calming Canvas. Specializing in private art parties and events, owner Nikita is a KC native and self-taught artist.
5) Purpose
Day five! Dec 30th is Nia (purpose). The second green candle is lit, the unity cup is shared, and purpose is discussed. The day is about helping one another in finding a lifelong purpose. It’s searching to be great and to be ourselves. With that, let’s all boost up a company that helps people find just that: The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City. It uses theatre productions and programming to lift up contributions made by minorities in our own neighborhoods.
6) Creativity
Day six! Dec 31st is Kuumba (creativity). The last red candle is lit and a promise is shared to do as much as we can, however we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful than we inherited it. It’s also the day of the karamu feast! It’s the main feast of the holiday, when decorations are hung to emphasize the day’s Creativity theme. During the feast, the unity cup is shared in a ritual called tambiko. Each person drinks from the cup to promote unity and remember their ancestors. Then, the eldest person pours the final sip in the direction of the four winds and asks for a blessing from our ancestors. Feasting and creativity make us want to order from Fannie’s West African Cuisine -- all the good food and creative ingredients on one menu.
7) Faith
Day seven! Jan 1st is Imani (faith), when the last green candle is lit and gifts are shared. This final day is about faith: believing with all our heart in our people. The gifts given are meant to encourage the different principles: creativity, growth, success, etc. A fitting gift is anything from Soul Rebels Jewelry. The KC jewelry brand features organic shapes, beautiful stones, and all things beautiful.
