|
|||||
 | |||||
|
Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/27/07 |
|
|
In
the News Archive - Year:
December 7, 2004 Kwanzaa celebrated in conjunction with Christmas By Anna Krejci The Black Student Union and Office of Student Life sponsored the event
for children and adults that encompassed storytelling, music, crafts and
African dances performed by third-graders.
The celebration of Kwanzaa, Dec. 26-Jan.1, is not based on religion,
but was developed from African harvest festivals. "Kwanzaa" translates
into "first fruits" in Swahili. Saturday's gathering was attended by people
of many races.
"I feel the importance is letting other people know how other people
may celebrate Christmas, and you don't have to be an African-American
to celebrate Kwanzaa," said Raegan Jackson, president of the Black Student
Union.
"Most people that celebrate Kwanzaa celebrate both Christmas and Kwanzaa,"
she added. Jackson will celebrate Kwanzaa for the first time this month.
On the other hand, Zena Banini, vice president of the Black Student
Union, has celebrated the holiday for several years.
"I like it because it just makes me think about little things you don't
think about during the day, like unity," and also the war, terrorism and
the oppression of people, she said.
Seven principles are featured over the seven days of Kwanzaa. Lit candles
symbolize the principles of unity, self-determination, collective work
and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Black, red and green are traditional colors of decoration. Black symbolizes
the race, red symbolizes the struggle of black, African and Pan-African
populations and green represents hope, life and the land of Africa, said
Mama Edie Armstrong, a Chicago storyteller who led the celebration's ceremony.
Ilze Anderson, a UWGB student, does not celebrate Kwanzaa, but said
she wanted to learn about it.
"I'm a Spanish major, and I think by default you like other cultures
and you're interested in other cultures," she said.
Immersing herself in cultures other than her own will prepare her for
studying abroad, she added.
"I have no idea what kinds of people I might run into or what they might
celebrate," and learning about new things could make it easier to "fit
in," she said.
And Kwanzaa is not commercialized, she said.
The celebration emphasizes investing time into making gifts rather than
buying.
Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga who has doctorates
in social ethics and political science. He teaches at California State
University-Long Beach.
| |
