Kwanzaa, the seven day African-American celebration of family, community, and culture began on Sunday and continues through Saturday, January 1.
Kwanzaa originated in the U.S. in 1966. While the celebration looks to the past as it honors ancient African traditions and cultures and offers African Americans knowledge of and pride in their ancestry, it also focuses on the future with its emphasis on family and community ties.
The seven day holiday, which begins the day after Christmas, is a cultural, not religious, holiday, and is intended to be an addition, rather than an alternative, to Christmas. Kwanzaa means “first fruits” in Swahili and is based on the first harvest celebrations celebrated in Africa.
While Kwanzaa features African American roots, the celebration is open to everyone.
Malcolm X College (1900 W. Van Buren) has one of the largest Kwanzaa celebrations in the entire country. It continues through Saturday, and admission is free for everyone.
The celebration at Malcolm X begins at 10am each day when the African Marketplace opens for guests to shop for traditional clothing, food, and beauty items. Then, the program is opened by the drum call, a trio of drummers that parade through the building to lead the guests to the auditorium for the dedication of the Kwanzaa principle of the day and the lighting of the kinara, the traditional candle holder, followed by the cultural entertainment. Here’s the complete schedule:
Sunday, December 26: Umoja (Unity). Program begins at 2pm. Cultural line-up includes Najwa Dance Corps; Melvia “Chick” Rodgers; Bill McFarland & the Chicago Horns; and African Fashion Show.
Monday, December 27: Kujichagulia (Self‐determination). Programs begins at noon. Cultural line-up includes Julia Huff; Spiritual Journey; Ayodele Dance and Drum Ensemble.
Tuesday, December 28: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility). Program begins at noon. Cultural line-up includes Alyo’s Children’s Dance Theatre; Walter King, Jr “Spellbinder”; Kwame Steve Cobb and Chavunduka.
Wednesday, December 29: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics). Program begins at noon. Cultural line-up includes Darrell Wilson “Sax Preacher”; Armen Rah; Joan Collaso.
Thursday, December 30: Nia (Purpose). Program begins at moon. Cultural line-up includes Fred Baker’s West Indies Folk Dance Company; Kaotic Drumline; Corey Wilkes Quartet.
Friday, December 31: Kuumba (Creativity). Program begins at noon. Cultural line-up includes Kelan Phil Cohran; Prince Ravanna Bey/Kerry Willis and the “Thunder Sky Drummers”; Maggie Brown.
Saturday, January 1: Imani (Faith). Program begins at noon. Cultural line-up includes Ugochi Nwaogwugwu; M.A.D.D. Rhythms; Ari Brown Quartet; Minianka African Dance and Drum Ensemble.
Kwanzaa celebrations are also going on at DuSable Museum of African American History this week (all part of the “Holiday Penny Cinema” series):
Tuesday, Dec. 28, 10:30am-12:30pm: Seven Candles for Kwanzaa
Tuesday, Dec. 28, 10:45am-12:45am: Rugrats Kwanzaa (Children’s Film)
Wednesday, Dec. 29, 10:30am-12:30pm: Holidays for Children-Kwanzaa
Thursday, Dec. 30, 10:30am-12:30pm: Kwanzaa: A Cultural Celebration
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