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Money can buy a lot of things. Purpose isn't one of them. Nor is creativity, or self-determination. Or faith. In what can become a commercially overwrought holiday season, these and other principles make up the core values celebrated during Kwanzaa, the seven-day period of reflection and renewal that begins Sunday.
"We celebrate it to highlight family, community and culture," said Josephine Fulcher-Anderson, supervisor of Ferguson Library's South End Branch. She offered a pre-Kwanzaa presentation at the library Thursday "to help people become aware of Kwanza."
Some people mistakenly believe Kwanzaa is a substitute for Christmas, or that it's a religious holiday. It is neither, said Fulcher-Anderson, who celebrates both Christmas and Kwanza.
"Kwanzaa is an African-American cultural holiday," she said. It is celebrated Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Symbols and rituals used for Kwanzaa are reflective of African-American heritage and the African "first fruit," or harvest, festivals on which it is based, Fulcher-Anderson said. During Kwanzaa candles are lit, homemade gifts are exchanged, thanks given, ancestors remembered and guiding principles are stated -- a different one each day. They begin with "umoja" ("unity" in Swahili) on the first day and go through to "imani" ("faith") on the seventh and final day. The holiday was established in 1966.
"This is my first year celebrating Kwanzaa," said Stamford resident Kim Overton, who brought daughter Shenaya, 14, son Jordan, 8, and nephew Keith Shamburger, 11, to the library event. "It's really important for me to try to teach them some goals and values. If you never did them, how would you know to pass them on?"
Several free citywide Kwanzaa celebrations are taking place in Stamford this week, including a kick-off event at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Faith Tabernacle Church, 29 Grove St., which Fulcher-Anderson coordinated. The program will include African dancers, a storyteller and a praise team.
Do you plan to attend any of the free public Kwanzaa events in Stamford this week? Is there a principle that is especially important to you?
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