Kwanzaa! A Celebration and Expression of Royal Spirit, Glory, Pride, Dignity and Joy

Afrikan people are by far the most senior people on the earth in that human life first emerged from that massive, precious and abundantly rich expanse of land known as Afrika. This primary emergence has led to the natural development of a culture of the highest and most exceptional order. It is from this profound and unique plateau of Afrikan development that this people have ingeniously created the greatest of world civilisations. Replete across the continent and from the most ancient of times, these civilisations are cultivated, developed and nurtured from the power of innate natural Afrikan genius to the continual astonishment of all the other and later peoples of the world.

Having been the ingenious developers of the most magnificent and long lived civilisations that have ever been presented on the world stage, Afrikan people surely have a mission compelling responsibility in today’s times. Despite having the most cruel, pervasive, criminal and continuing interruptions imposed upon them in recent centuries; Afrikans the world over have a massive opportunity to elevate themselves to return to their rightful place at the helm of their own royal grand civilisation.

Thankfully, the effort for the supreme reclamation of Afrikan autonomy and independence has always been at hand. One of the most profound, powerful and accessible cultural ‘vehicles’ to help in the divine thrust to usher liberty and nationhood into being is the glorious celebration of Kwanzaa.

The Kwanzaa celebration is based upon the traditional harvesting festivals of Afrika from Ancient to modern times. It is a most beautiful and illuminating synthesis to embrace that emanates from the best of the best culture that the world has ever been blessed with. It is a powerful and pervasive foundation that is of Afrikan people both continental and diasporan – a world majority people.

The magnificent Kwanzaa celebration begins on the 26th December and continues through until January 1st - seven days of cultural enrichment, expression and immersion. The word Kwanzaa comes from the Kiswahili phrase Matunda ya Kwanza meaning ‘First Fruits’ as it relates to the harvest. Kwanzaa is a mighty celebration of family, community and culture. It is steeped in the abundant richness of the heritage to compel the Afrikan to better their lives now and simultaneously lays the basis for a powerful Afrikan future. Kwanzaa also takes place at a time when many Afrikans largely find themselves on ‘holiday’ away from the clutches of the mundane and day-to-day imposition of foreign institutions. Thus the seven-day Afrikan-centred experience of Kwanzaa is no less than sacred time and empowering beyond literary comprehension.

At the core of the Kwanzaa celebration are the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles), a beautiful and deeply engaging foundation value system for Afrikan people to live by. They are identified as follows: Umoja – Unity, Kujichagulia – Self Determination, Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility, Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics, Nia – Purpose, Kuumba – Creativity and Imani – Faith. Each one has its own extensive, profound and progressive meaning that is celebrated during the Kwanzaa observance and have been creatively restored to be reclaimed as a part of Afrikan life throughout the year. These values and the meanings they hold, together with the powerful set of symbols and their profound substance of meaning culminate into a magnanimous celebration and expression of royal spirit, glory, pride, dignity and joy.

The lasting reflection of this account is left to highlight that central to the Kwanzaa celebration are Afrikan children – the most beautiful and powerful expression of royalty, divinity and progression that the Afrikan family can raise having had them emerge from a most divine source. Beyond belief, the young ones are the future and providing them with the cultural empowerment of Kwanzaa will surely strengthen the guarantee for Afrikan liberty and nationhood for them and for those that are yet to come.

Further insights on Kwanzaa and its values are to be found in the important text: From Pert-En-Min to Kwanzaa: The Kuumba (Creative) Restoration of Sacred First Fruits.