Celebrating 30 years of Kwanzaa in Macon
By George Fadil Muhammad
Photography by Dsto Moore

December’s Kwanzaa celebration in Macon will mark 30 consecutive years of local nonprofits Kwanzaa Cultural Access Center Inc. and Torchlight Academy Inc. presenting this extraordinary harvest festival.
Local builder and Homeland Village Bookstore owner Kirklyn Abijah Hodges hosted Macon’s first public Kwanzaa event in 1989 at the Tubman Museum.

Three years later, a small nucleus of locals including Hodges attended a Kwanzaa workshop led by Atlanta storyteller/puppeteer Akbar Imhotep at Ruth Hartley Mosley Women’s Center. They became so inspired that one month later, they presented a Kwanzaa celebration with hundreds in attendance, then went on to form a new organization that has shaped an annual series of legendary Kwanzaa events. In late spring 1993, they initiated the Juneteenth Freedom Festival, and these two Macon festivals continue to this day.

HISTORY
One of the most phenomenal cultural traditions of Black America to emerge in the last century is the African-American holiday of Kwanzaa. Known as Matunda Ya Kwanzaa (Festival of First Fruits) and created by Los Angeles scholar/activist Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1965, it encompasses seven days (Dec. 26-Jan. 1), seven principles, seven symbols and an “a” added to the Swahili word Kwanza, which means “first,” to give it seven letters.

“Kwanzaa stresses recognition and appreciation of the dual historical character of our identity. In a word, the origins of the holiday, like that of people from whom it evolved, are dual in character and consciousness. Both are African-American, products of two soils and societies, participants in and heirs of two historical processes and realities,” Karenga wrote in his book, “The African American Holiday of Kwanzaa.”

Kwanzaa revolves foremost around the principle of unity. As a point of design, it employs the East African language Swahili, which is used by Africans to transcend their over 800 continental languages or dialects, as one common language of trade.

“I enjoy many things about Kwanzaa, but if I had to break it down, it shows that we can come together,” said doula and Kwanzaa Cultural Access Center Treasurer Nasiryn Fitz.

For millions of Black Americans, as the euphoria of the Christmas season climaxes Dec.25, the exciting and amazing celebration of Kwanzaa begins a week-long Afrocentric feast of culture. Kwanzaa is not a replacement for Christmas, nor a competitor, and many people celebrate them both, while some do not.

“I love the fact that we are coming together for a purpose, reaffirming that we have a strong unity bond and that we want to move forward as a community, a family and a people,” said Hodges.

The need for Black healing and practical solutions from generational wounds of European exploitation and chattel slavery, the Jim Crow years, the devastating turmoil of the 1960s and subsequent decades of systemic racial crisis still raging today, is what makes the holiday so invaluable socially.

“Kwanzaa to me means a celebration of our people. It’s a coming together of the Diaspora of our people from all points in the world,” said Ashley Pointer. “Kwanzaa is an opportunity to celebrate and honor my ancestors. It’s important simply because it has roots and meanings far beyond what we have here. When you connect with the meanings, it gives a lot of depth and there is a lot of cultural bridging to other important traditions. Globally and in America, it is important because it offers a lot of what we should know and it’s important for people outside of our community to appreciate as well.”

The essence of Kwanzaa includes daily reflections of the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles: Unity (Umoja), Self-Determination (Kujichagulia), Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima), Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa), Purpose (Nia), Creativity (Kuumba) and Faith (Imani). They are to be practiced year-round beyond the seven days.

Kwanzaa includes celebrations of live music, dance, film, poetry, visual and dramatic arts, historical exploration, community improvement projects and the sharing of delicious foods.

It includes intimate family ceremonies commemorating ancestors at home. It is a launching pad potentially for a very productive new year and the seven principles are to be practiced daily throughout the year.

“My husband and I celebrate Kwanzaa at home. Kwanzaa in Macon is a community event, and I enjoy seeing young kids perform, and the ceremony, even though it’s ritual,” said dance choreographer/founder Marquita Redd of Redd Arts. “I enjoy seeing each year a new person put their spin on it, and African-American history is important. We can’t move forward without knowing our past.”

TRADITIONS
Tradition is a major theme in Kwanzaa, symbolized by the mkeka (straw mat) as the foundation upon which sits the kinara, or seven-holed candle holder, symbolic of our ancient ancestors, the Earth’s earliest civilization of people, standing on the success of tradition.

The mishumaa saba, (seven candles in the kinara) are the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) that grew out of and were created by them. Tradition is additionally important because it is a pillar of culture undergirding our beliefs, customs, values, language, arts, sciences and way of life that are passed on to each new generation.

In his book, Karenga wrote, “Tradition and culture are foundations for correct knowledge and understanding of self, society and the world. In recognition of this fact, all other Kwanzaa symbols are placed on the mkeka and it too becomes a foundation. The ancestors expressed clearly the relevance of tradition and history as foundation in these proverbs: ‘No matter how high a house is built, it must stand on something, and if you know the beginning well, the end will not trouble you.’”

The black, red and green colors of Kwanzaa are embraced from the early 20th century Pan African movement of the great Jamaican American leader Marcus Mosiah Garvey. He quoted of Mother Africa, “Black for the people; red for the blood they shed; green for the land.”

Karenga modified the application of the colors in Kwanzaa to represent black for the people, red for the struggle and green for the future that would result from the struggle. The black Unity candle is lit first, then a sequence to red then green proceeds, lighting one candle each day of Kwanzaa for each of the seven principles.

As the design and focus of Kwanzaa is certainly for and on Black people, the principles of Kwanzaa hold universal truths and value of life enhancement for all people and all cultures.

“When we incorporate those seven principles of Kwanzaa into our lives, it enriches our lives; and you can build your life on those principles. It doesn’t matter what religion you are, what color or ethnicity or gender or philosophy. The principles guide you to do what it takes in working to make yourself a better person and in how to work in unison with other people for the good,” Hodges said.

Cherished and widely enjoyed traditions of Kwanzaa include the Kwanzaa feast (karamu), held on the sixth day as “a pot-luck” of healthy, delicious contributions from the community.

The singing in unison of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem which gives praise for triumph over tragedy and great adversity in America, is a daily Kwanzaa tradition. The pantomime of the audience in unison pulling a fist full of mighty rope down seven times chanting “harambee” (“let us pull together”) is another daily tradition.

The giving of zawadi (gifts) is the rewarding of meaningful, sometimes hand-crafted gifts during Kwanzaa to children who have kept their commitments for self-improvement during the year. Their promises kept are the fruit of seeds sown from the previous year, that result in new growth and positive development.

In Macon’s Kwanzaa celebration, the youth on the second night celebrate Youth Night of Self-Determination. It is a time for them to showcase their talents onstage and they run the entire program of Kwanzaa as the leaders.
“Kwanzaa means family. That’s what I’m used to growing up with, family. I get to see people I love who I may not have seen all year, but for sure at Kwanzaa time. Kwanzaa is important because the seven days teach you hard work, unity, community and to be closer to your family,” said 25-year-old Queen Semaj. “I remember that it was Youth Night that built my confidence so much. Though I’m very scared onstage, I remember rapping onstage and I learned confidence in myself. Kwanzaa teaches you so many things. Kwanzaa is about learning new things about your own history and what’s going on in the world.”

UNDERSTANDING THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF KWANZAA

THE NGUZO SABA, or Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, are celebrated and discussed with respect to each of the seven days of Kwanzaa. They are a collective distillation of wisdom, truth and values from the traditions and culture of our ancestors, articulated in this manner by Dr. Maulana Karenga from his studies and travels.

They should be mindfully and diligently applied both individually and as a community each week and day of the year. The principles should govern the scope of behaviors, choices, interactions, activities planning, strategies, and values that we employ, especially as Black people and particularly in the context of our peculiar history globally and in America.

The practice of these principles is to be utilized in harmony with other core values of practical, philosophical and spiritual practices we have as individuals.

The Nguzo Saba is as follows:

UMOJA: “Unity” means to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

KUJICHAGULIA: “Self-Determination” means to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves instead of being defined, named, created for and spoken for by others.

UJIMA: “Collective Work and Responsibility” means to build and maintain our community together and make our sisters’ and brothers’ problems our problems and to solve them together.

UJAMAA: “Cooperative Economics” means to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

NIA: “Purpose” means to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

KUUMBA: “Creativity” means to always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

IMANI: “Faith” means to believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S PERSPECTIVES ON KWANZAA

“To me, Kwanzaa means a celebration that brings people together like a big family celebrating life and unity. It had such a big impact on me growing up. It means coming together, just a community all together and of course African culture. Kwanzaa is important, especially for Black people in America, because it helps us get in touch with our roots a little bit. We get to express ourselves and learn new things from each other.” — PHOENIX SEMAJ, AGE 17

“Kwanzaa means you get to celebrate different types of cultures. You get to be yourself and you can wear different colors and light candles and they smell good. It is important to celebrate because it helps you grow and spend time with your family. You get to come together. It gives you strength and you learn different things.” — KUMANI BLACKWELL, AGE 11

“Kwanzaa is a celebration of Umoja, or the unity of our culture. It’s important to celebrate Kwanzaa to carry on the traditions of our community as a culture and to further strengthen us as a community. It gives us a reminder of where we were and where we are now, kind of like a sense of nostalgia.”
— PHOENIX BLACKWELL, AGE 17

Fadil’s Steamed Broccoli
To be served for the Karamu, or Kwanzaa Feast

Broccoli florets
Himalayan pink or sea salt
Generous amount garlic cloves, whole or cut, or 1 tablespoon garlic powder
½ tablespoon turmeric powder
½ tablespoon paprika powder
½ tablespoon ground basil
1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil
5-7 slices butter

Fill cooking pot with 8-16 ounces of spring, distilled or pure source clean water. Place strainer pot into it and turn on flame or heating element beneath cooking pot. Fill strainer pot with desired amount of fresh cut broccoli florets.
Sprinkle a very light touch of salt over florets. Mix in garlic, turmeric, paprika and basil.
Douse florets with olive oil and place butter on top. Cover pot until butter melts, about 2 minutes.
Once butter melts, gently stir florets to mix in spices and until top layer is at the bottom. Place top back on pot and let steam for 1-3 minutes, then turn off heat.
Take lid off and check that broccoli is vivid green, lightly cooked, just slightly soft, but pleasantly crunchy. It’s now ready to serve.