Kwanzaa
Observed from the 26th December - 1st January each year
The name 'Kwanzaa' is derived from the Swahili phrase
'Matunda Ya Kwanza' meaning first fruits of harvest.
The origins of the festival are from the first harvest celebrations of Africa,
particularly the South African 'Umkhost' of Zululand which is seven days in duration
and also marks the start of a new year. The extra 'a' was added to make seven letters.
Introduced in 1966 by a Master Teacher 'Dr Maulena Karenga', also known as Ron Everett
A professor at the Dept Of Black Studies
at the California State University, a scholar-activist and author
He stresses the need to preserve, continually revitialise and promote African Culture
Kwanzaa was created to:-
reaffirm and restore our rootedness in African Culture
serve as a regular communal celebration to reaffirm and
reinforce the bonds between us as a people particularly
our common identity, purpose & direction as a world African Community.
introduce and reinforce the Nguzo Saba (7 principles)
which places an emphasis on the importance
of African Community values particularly family, community, culture
and to speak of the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense.
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TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CELEBRATION
INCLUDING THE PREPARATION, THE SYMBOLS, COLOURS, ACTIVITIES, MENUS & MORE
CALL THE AKEBA TEAM & ASK FOR AN INFORMATION PACK
