Sunday, December 26, 2010

Umoja Karamu -PII

"Umoja Karamu,
meaning 'unity feast' in Swahili, is an African American celebration begun in 1971 by Dr. Edward Sims, Jr. Celebrated in a manner similar to Thanksgiving, Umoja Karamu is held on the fourth Sunday in November. Its purpose is to instill solidarity, black values, and appreciation of black heritage into black families. Prayers, libations to honor ancestors, historical readings, and feasts mark observances. The celebration is based on five periods of African American life, each represented by a color. Prior to Slavery - the color black, represents black families before slavery In Slavery - the color white, symbolizes the scattering blacks families during slavery Upon Emancipation - the color red, marks blacks' liberation from slavery Struggle for Liberation - the color green, significances the struggle for civil rights and equality Looking to the Future - the color gold, points celebrants to hope for the future Umoja Karamu is said to be growing in popularity"

Kwanzaa -

Kwanzaa -
"Maulana Karenga of the
US Organization
created Kwanzaa in 1966 as the first specifically African American
holiday.[2] Karenga said his goal
was to 'give Blacks an alternative
to the existing holiday and
give Blacks an
opportunity to celebrate themselves
and history, rather than simply imitate the
practice of the dominant society.'
[3] The name Kwanzaa derives from
the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning
first fruits of the harvest
.[4] The choice of Swahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol
of Pan-Africanism, especially in
the 1960s. Kwanzaa is a celebration
that has its roots in the black nationalist
movement of the 1960s, and was established
as a means to help African Americans
reconnect with their African cultural
and historical heritage
by uniting in meditation
and study of African traditions and
Nguzu Saba, the 'seven principles
of blackness'
which Karenga said 'is a communitarian African philosophy'.
During the early years of
Kwanzaa, Karenga
said that it was meant to be an
alternative to Christmas,
that Jesus was psychotic, and that Christianity was a white religion that
black people should shun.
[5] However, as Kwanzaa
gained mainstream adherents,
Karenga altered his position so that
practicing Christians would
not be alienated, then stating
in the 1997 Kwanzaa:
A Celebration of Family, Community,
and Culture,
Kwanzaa was not created
to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday.
'[6] Many Christian African
Americans who celebrate
Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing
Christmas.[7] In 2009, Maya Angelou
narrated the award-winning
documentary The Black Candle,
the first filmabout Kwanzaa. Principles
and symbols"