COLUMBIA, S.C. — The week-long celebration of Kwanzaa began on December 26 and runs through January 1.
Created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga during the aftermath of the Watts Riots in California, the goal was to give Black people an opportunity to celebrate their African history and culture. Each day during Kwanzaa, one of the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba, in the Swahili language) is highlighted:
- Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
- Kujichagulia (Self-determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.
- Ujima (Collective work and responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.
- Ujamaa (Cooperative economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
- Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
- Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
- Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Each night during Kwanzaa, a candle is lit in a menorah-like holder. A black candle in the center signifies unity, the three green candles on the right represent earth, and the three red candles on the left represent the struggle of African Americans or shedding of blood.
Ruttaskhi Aakhu Aba, founder of Columbia's House of Hathor, talked to News19 about what Kwanzaa means to him. He said the Seven Principles should be observed and acted upon throughout the year, not just during one week.
In the Columbia area, there are some events scheduled for Kwanzaa celebrations.
- Nia: December 30, an open mic and celebration 6-9 p.m. at House of Hathor, 6319 N. Main St., Columbia
- Kuumba: December 31, Sister Circle presents a community karamu (feast) 3-6:30 p.m. at Orion's Oracle 5D, 6420 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia. Participants are asked to bring a dish of soul food or African food, preferably vegan, absolutely no pork. Performances from Libation Dance Ensemble, Gye Nyame Dance Ensemble and Gail Glover Spiritual Dance.
- Global Community Kwanzaa online celebrations, 2-4 p.m. daily through January 1 by Uhuru Academy
