Kwanzaa- Day One

Kwanzaa is a seven-day African-American cultural holiday- an American holiday inspired by African traditions. The word kwanza is Swahili for “first”, as in "first fruits", because in some parts of Africa this is the season for first fruits harvest festivals. Kwanzaa is a time of thanksgiving for the earth, but also a time to honor ancestors, and a time for African-Americans to celebrate their heritage and learn about African traditions and values.

In fact, values are the main theme of Kwanzaa; Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture, called the Nguzo Saba, which in Swahili means the Seven Principles. All of us can benefit and grow by celebrating these principles.

The Kwanzaa principles focus on community because in African philosophy a true human is always a person-in-community; this is reflected in the African saying, "I am because we are" (a good counter balance for the Me First thinking of the American culture). 

When my children were younger, we celebrated Kwanzaa as a family, but now I celebrate mostly alone, and find creative ways to connect the activities to the various parts of my community.

Agenda:
The first day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of umoja (oo-MOH-jah), which is unity- the unity of working and playing together with my family and my community, in harmony.

1. Journal:
What does unity mean to me? With whom do I need better unity? How can I help us find unity?

List some inspiring ways to find better unity with my family, Quaker Meeting, school, neighborhood, and city community this year.

2. Altar:
Spread a straw mat- the mkeka (em-kay-kah)- to symbolize the foundation of tradition and history upon which all rests. Place an ear of dried corn on the mkeka for each child in the family, and also some fruits, vegetables, and nuts for the earth’s abundance.

Set up the kinara (key-nar-rah) with seven candles- three red, three green, and one black in the center.

3. Kwanzaa ceremony:
Today I light the black candle in the center of the kinara, in unity with all people of African ancestry.

Since I am not African-American myself, I also light a purple candle, in unity with all people of the world. Then I recite this affirmation-
I will work in unity with those within and without my circle.

4. Unity project:
My family has been together for the last three days, and today we will work together to clean our rental and then say our goodbyes and get back on the road.