The World Beat Center kicked off its 42nd Annual Celebration of Kwanzaa, a non-religious celebration affirming African American family and social values.
Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 through the first of January.
Maulana Karenga, a Black nationalist who later became a college professor, created Kwanzaa as a way of uniting and empowering the African American community in the aftermath of the deadly Watts Rebellion. Having modeled his holiday on traditional African harvest festivals, he took the name “Kwanzaa” from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.” The extra “a” was added, Karenga has said, simply to accommodate seven children at the first-ever Kwanzaa celebration in 1966, each of whom wanted to represent a letter.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa, as determined by Karenga, are umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith).
The World Beat Center will gesture special guest speakers or performers each night, a ceremonial candle lighting and libation with drumming, poetry readings, free heirloom seeds for families, and Karamu (the traditional feast and family get down).
The World Beat Center will host several Kwanzaa celebrations, the first being held on Dec. 26 from 6:30 P.M. through 9 P.M. at 2100 Park Blvd in San Diego. Monday night’s celebration will feature live performances from Mariea Antoinete, Master of Ceremonies Alyce Cooper, and speaker Enoch Hankerson.
For more information, visit https://www.worldbeatcenter.org/events/
