Rising to the Occasion:
Tips for Seasoning
Your Meals with Soul
with Karen Mitchell-Wilcher
Kwanzaa… A Lesson Worth Trying
Kwanzaa keeps the holidays going in a special way. Many African
Americans celebrate Kwanzaa during the last week of December.
The celebration lasts seven days, December 26 through January
1. Every day highlights and honors a different principle known
Nguzo Subu (nn-Goo-zoh SAH-bah), as they are known in Swahili.
They are:
Umoja [oo-MOH-JAH] unity
Kujichagulia [koo-ji-chah-goo-LEE-ah] (self-determination)
Ujimma [oo-JEE-mah] (collective work and responsibility)
Ujamma [ oo-jah-MAH] (cooperative economics)
Nia [NEE-ah] (purpose)
Kuumba [koo-OO-mbah] (creativity)
Imani [ee-MAH-nee] (faith)
Families and friends gather in festive clothes to share food
and fellowship. The ritual begins by lighting one of the seven
candles placed in the special candleholder called the kinara.
This candle lighting is followed by a discussion of the day’s
principle. Red, green and black are colors used throughout Kwanzaa
celebrations. The first candle is placed and ignited in the center
of the kinara is black and symbolizes the principle of unity.
The three green candles are placed to the right of the center
candle and represent self determination, collective work and cooperative
economics. The red candles go the left and are for purpose, creativity
and faith.
Although Kwanzaa is unique, it shares the same communal spirit
and cornucopia of food that other holidays embrace. The word Kwanzaa
is comes from the Swahili word meaning first fruits of the harvest.
It shares traditions of harvest festivals celebrated in many African
countries by acknowledging the effort and rewards of family and
friends working together toward a common goal.
Food can be used to teach some of the principles. Last year my
daughters and I made Zucchini Bread and wrapped the loaves as
gifts. The holiday culminates with a feast of karamu that includes
an array of foods often incorporating traditional African dishes
(like Ground Nut Soup), Caribbean and favorite African American
fare to represent the diversity of African Americans.
This annual gathering of family, friends old and new is a wonderful
way to strengthen bonds, and acknowledge the importance of the
Kwanzaa principles and give meaning to the end of a fabulous year!!!
Recipes:
