The holiday season at the end of the year is a time of celebration for many religions around the world.
Christians rejoice in the birth of Christ. Jews reflect on the miracle of Hannukah when a single-day of sacred oil for burning candles at a rededicated temple lasted eight days.
For many African-Americans the season brings one more celebration, known as Kwanzaa.
The holiday’s name is from a Swahili phrase for the “first fruits of harvest.”
Though not specifically religious, Kwanzaa celebrates the roots and culture of the African-American and Pan-American experience.
A typical greeting at this time of year is “have a joyous Kwanzaa.”
“We’re celebrating the best of African culture,” said Imani Asukile, president of the African American Heritage Society of East Pasco County.
From Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, participating families will gather each day in their homes to honor the seven principles of Kwanzaa, known as Nguzo Saba: unity (umoja); self-determination (kujichagulia); collective work and responsibility (ujima); cooperative economics (ujamaa); purpose (nia); creativity (kuumba); and faith (imani).
Schools, libraries and churches also host Kwanzaa events.
Though the celebration is annual, the meaning of Kwanzaa is year-round.
“It’s not something we do,” said Asukile. “It’s a way of life.”
Each day of the week during Kwanzaa, a candle is lit – most often by a child – and one principle is discussed each day. The black candle in the center of the kanara, or candleholder, is the first to be lit in a ceremony reminiscent of the Jewish ritual of lighting eight candles during Hannukah.
“Hopefully, they develop a sense of appreciation of ancestors who laid a foundation on which we stand today,” said Asukile. “And, they can restore what we consider the best pride in our community.”
To start the holiday, the heritage society will host the Brenda Wormack Annual Unity Walk on Dec. 26 at 9 a.m., at the New Bethel African Episcopal Methodist (AME) Church in Lacoochee.
Wormack was vice president of the organization at the time of her death in 2009 from breast cancer. She also was a member of New Bethel AME.
“She was an ardent supporter of youth in the community,” said Asukile.
The heritage society also will host a Kwanzaa event, featuring storyteller Windell Campbell, on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Branch Library in Dade City.
Storytelling is an affirmation of the African-American experience, Asukile said, and it creates an understanding of the past and future.
“You have to constantly tell the story,” Asukile said.
Kwanzaa began in the mid-1960s as the first uniquely African-American holiday. Its creator is Maulana Karenga, a professor and chairman of black studies at California State College in Long Beach, California.
According to the Kwanzaa website, the theme for Kwanzaa in 2015 is “Embracing Kwanzaa’s Principles and Practices: Creating and Celebrating the Good.”
For the African-American Heritage Society of East Pasco County, the Kwanzaa celebration is a tradition dating at least to the 1990s.
“I think it was through Kwanzaa that our organization was given birth,” Asukile said. “We have kind of used Kwanzaa to help make our community a better place.”
The organization hosts an annual memorial service to honor more than 20 veterans buried at Indian Pond Cemetery in Dade City. During segregation, the cemetery was the only one where African-Americans could bury their loved ones.
Events also are held during the year to recognize black history and women’s history, particularly individuals from the east Pasco area.
“We are extremely proud of what we have been able to contribute, especially proud of how the community has received the organization,” Asukile said.
For information, contact Imani Asukile at (352) 567-0441.
What: The Brenda Wormack Annual Unity Walk
When: Dec. 26 at 9 a.m.
Where: New Bethel AME Church, 20653 Floyd Road in Lacoochee
What: African American Heritage Society of East Pasco – Kwanzaa celebration, featuring storyteller Windell Campbell
When: Dec. 29 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City
All events are free and open to the public.
Published December 23, 2015
