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Page 12
Spelman Spotlight
December 1981
Kwanza With The Davises
Kwanza is a family attair, enhanced by African attire.
easts are an integral part of the seven day festivity. All types
By Carla D. Johnson
Reporter
Mr. Leroy Davis, a professor in
the history department at
Spelman College, and his family
have been celebrating Kwanza
for the past nine years. Around
mid-December, Mr. Davis
begins refreshing his children's
minds about Kwanza. The oldest
daughter, Kamaria - Ifa, 8,
remembers the Kwanza history
as well as some Kwanza songs,
which she teaches to her two
younger brothers, Jumaane -
Haki and Rahsaan - Jamil.
Mr. Davis holds Kwanza
Sessions with his children at least
three or four times per week,
which helps to get them into the
Kwanza spirit. The actual week
before Kwanza, the Davis family
goes on their Kwanza shopping
spree. They purchase candles,
food, fruits, and nuts in prepara
tion for the Kwanza festivities. At
this time, they put up both a
Kwanza display, and theirChrist-
mas tree. The Kwanza display
consists of a table with candles,
ears of corn that represent each
member of the family, a straw
mat, African artifacts, and fruit
and nuts which sympolize the
harvest. Usually the Davis family
celebrates Kwanza at the home
of friends or a community center
or school. This year, they will
celebrate Kwanza within their
home. Those of us who won’t be
here in person to join in the
festivities can read about the
occasion in the Spotlight.
Kwanza celebrations may be
held at a variety of places and
may be as elaborate or as modest
as one’s creativity will allow.
When one arrives at the place
where Kwanza is being
celebrated, he or she is greeted
by someone who says, “Habari
Gani” — which means, “What's
the news,” or “What’s happen
ing?”
The colors red, (for the con
tinuing struggle), black (for our
people), and green, (for land and
hope), dominate the room.
People are dressed in African
attire as well as western attire,
whatever they can relax and
enjoy themselves in. A table will
be set up with an African print
table cloth. A “Mkeka” straw
mat, which is the symbol for our
historical foundation in
traditional African culture, is
placed on the table cloth. A
“Kinara” (candleholder with 7
prongs) is placed on the Mkeka.
The Kinara represents our
African ancestors while the
seven Mishumaa candles (3 red,
1 black and 3 green), represent
the seven principles of the
“Nguzo Saba.” (Black Value
System).
Also on the table is a “Kikom-
ba” — unity cup, which
represents the unity of African
people. “Matunda” is the
tropical fruit, vegetables, and
nuts which represent the total
yield of traditional harvest.
“Mahindi” — corn, is also placed
on the table. The corn represents
the number of children in the
household. In childless homes,
an unshucked ear of corn is used
to represent the potential for
children. After the table has
been set, the elder member
(who represents our ancestors)
pours a libation into the Kikom-
ba. He or she drinks from the cup
first, then the cup is passed
around the table.This isasymbol
of Harambee (People Pulling
Together). Drinking from the
cup fosters unity, which is ideal
in Black communities
throughout the world. After
drinking from the cup, the
children in the house each light
two candles for the Kwanza days
passed and one candle for that
day. After the lighting of the
candle, the food is served. Food
at Kwanza ceremonies ranges
from soul food — barbecued
chicken wings, biscuits, greens,
etc., to vegetarian dishes, to
African dishes and Caribbean
dishes. Most importantly, there
is always lots of food that will
meet everyone’s taste.
African songs and dances are
often begun by the children or a
designated leader, at the
ceremony. Everyone joins in the
festivities. No one is allowed to
sit back and be “cool.” The
sound of the conga drums and
the clapping of hands puts
everyone in the party spirit.
On the last day of Kwanza, gifts
wrapped in red, black, and/or
green paper are exchanged. The
gifts, known as “Zawadi” are
expressions of giving of oneself,
our history, our culture and our
commitment to education as a
liberating force. The Kwanza
celebration is one of the few
holidays that involves the whole
family,
The togetherness shared has
many positive effects on
everyone at the celebration. The
fact that Kwanza is not only a
holiday, but an acutal way of life
with an unique value system,
makes it above all others. The
Davis family celebrates Christ
mas as well as Kwanza. Why
don’t you join them and
celebrate Kwanza this Dec. 26th -
Jan 1st and continue to foster its
teachings throughout the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy
Kwanza!
Happy Kwanza To All! ^