I don't know anythinga bout Kwanzaa. This is interesting!

And a happy Kwanzaa to you.

I wonder what Kwanzaa is, which religion is it from? How you celebrate? For what special event? etc. Anyway, I still wish you a good holiday.

I've never met anybody who actually celebrates it. I didn't know it was that new.

Trench Kamen wrote:

It looks like Chanukah with colored candles.

Yes....the representation of the candles are sort of similar to the candles lighted during Chanukkah.

You see...well this is explained below today's principle and message about how the principle relates to everyone on this forum....

Ah...today...is special to me...because one of my favorite days of learning and respecting one of the Seven Principles...

Today Principle is:

Kujichagulia-say it with me... (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) or in plain English (Self-Determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Yep...everyone here on this forum has clearly shown in one way or the other that no one has the right to define who we are...in fact..we are very vocal on our opinions and ideals and that is something to be proud of...especially since what is considered "normal" society tries to make us "conform" to bland principles...just because it's all that society has known.

One of you guys asked me how it is celebrated...so I'd thought I'd find something to help you out on that question:

The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle. Therefore there is one black candle, three red and three green candles. These are the mishumaa saba (the seven candles) and they represent the seven principles. The black candle represents the first principle Umoja (unity) and is placed in the center of the kinara. The red candles represent the principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics) and Kuumba (creativity) and are placed to the left of the black candle. The green candles represent the principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose) and Imani (faith) and are placed to the right of the black candle. The black candle is lit first on the first day of the celebration. And the remaining candles are lit afterwards from left to right on the following days. This procedure is to indicate that the people come first, then the struggle and then the hope that comes from the struggle.

And then the mazao (crops), and ears of corn are also placed on the mkeka. At least two ears of corn are placed down on the mat regardless of whether there are children in the immediate family or not for the children of the community belong to all of us and every adult in African tradition is considered an immediate or social parent. Next the kikombe cha umoja (the Unity cup) is then placed on the mkeka (mat). It is used to pour tambiko (libation) to the ancestors in remembrance and honor of those who paved the path down which we walk and who taught us the good, the Tamshi  and the beautiful in life. Then African art objects and books on the life and culture of African people are also placed on or next to the mat to symbolize our commitment to heritage and learning.

OH AND JUST ONE MORE THING I THOUGHT EVERYONE SHOULD UNDERSTAND

Can people who are not of African descent participate in Kwanzaa activities?

Kwanzaa is clearly an African holiday created for African peoples. But other people can and do celebrate it, just like other people participate in Cinco de Mayo besides Mexicans; Chinese New Year besides Chinese; Native American pow wows besides Native Americans.

The question is, under what circumstances? There are both communal and public celebrations. One can properly hold a communal celebration dedicated essentially to community persons. But in a public context, say public school or college, we can properly have public celebrations which include others. How this is done depends on particular circumstances. But in any case, particular people should always be in control of and conduct their own celebrations. Audience attendance is one thing; conducting a ritual is another.

Any particular message that is good for a particular people, if it is human in its content and ethical in its grounding, speaks not just to that people, it speaks to the world.

The principles of Kwanzaa and the message of Kwanzaa has a universal message for all people of good will. It is rooted in African culture, and we speak as Africans must speak, not just to ourselves, but to the world. This continues our tradition of speaking our own special cultural truth and making our own unique contribution to the forward flow of human history.

There are many uses of black candles within Wicca. They are used at Samhain (Halloween) for example, simply as part of the seasonal decor. The absorption of negative energy is only one possible use.

G&Ysnumber1fan wrote:

<More fun Kwanzaa facts.>

This is cool beans.

Now I wish I had a memory of some sort, but I killed it with hours of mindless televison.

Is this Kwanzaa some strange American holiday I am not aware of?

It's still ongoing, right? You're not terribly late, just fashionably.

Trench Kamen wrote:

Hey... I rather like the concept of this holiday. It speaks more to me than blind faith in some antiquated religion. It's a celebration of humanity. Kujichagulia (what language is that, anyway? I can't pronounce it) is a pretty sexy concept for anybody to follow.

It's Swahili....

Sigh....Kwanzaa is officially over.

Oh and yes I do celebrate Christmas as well and sometimes we get double the presents.

Ah...such a wonderful tradition is over with...

You are welcome:grin: