2006-12-20 04:42:37 · 22 answers · asked by ehs1193 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Kwanzaa
An African-American cultural festival, celebrated from December 26 to January 1.
secular seven-day festival in celebration of the African heritage of African Americans, beginning on Dec. 26. Developed by Maulana Karenga and first observed in 1966, Kwanzaa is based in part on traditional African harvest festivals but particularly emphasizes the role of the family and community in African-American culture. Each day is dedicated to a particular principle (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith), and on each day one of the candles on a seven-branched candelabrum is lighted. The celebration also includes the giving of gifts and a karamu, or African feast.
Habari Gani
have a joyous Kwanza,
happy Kwanza,
Health Wealth and Happiness on Kwanza,
2006-12-21 02:03:40 · answer #1 · answered by Eccentric 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Unfortunately, Kwanzaa had to be created out of thin air because of a mother that wanted a way to teach her child and family about their African heritage. Additionally unfortunate is the fact that very little about the history of Blacks/African-Americans is taught to our children in the public school system. (that is of course aside from that slavey piece and the wonderful Abe Lincoln that freed all the slaves (please detect the scarcasm in my writing), Rosa Parks and MLKjr and a few sports people sprinkled in the mix). As a result, self-exploration of our African heritage and holiday's like Kwanzaa are the only way some people are able to connect to something that was stolen from us. Our history. Trust me I don't want to get into a philosophical discussion about slavery, but there is something to be said for someone being able say "I'm German" or my grand parents came from "Italy". I'll assume that since my skin is dark brown that my anscestors came from somewhere on the huge continent of Africa. That sucks, huh. So, while I do not "celebrate" Kwanzaa I appreciate the fact that someone did invent the 7-day celebration. It has zero to do with religion and more to do about reflection, coming together as a human race, inclusion and culture. Now what other "holiday" can you say about that about.
2006-12-20 19:39:45 · answer #2 · answered by Nora D 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Kwanzaa was made up in the 60s by militant racist Ron Karenga to separate blacks from mainstream society.
When once asked why he designed Kwanzaa to take place around Christmas, Karenga explained, “People think it's African but it's not. I came up with Kwanzaa because Black people wouldn't celebrate it if they knew it was American. Also, I put it around Christmas because I knew that's when a lot of Bloods would be partying.”
Ron Karenga was the head of the United Slaves organization (USO), a violent Marxist “Black power” group.
In 1970, Karenga and two of his followers were arrested and charged with conspiracy and assault in the torture of Deborah Jones and Gail Davis, two of his followers. Thinking that these women had tried to poison him, he made them disrobe at gunpoint and had them beaten. They were also forced to swallow detergent and another caustic liquid as part of their punishment. Karenga was convicted and served four years for the crime.
2006-12-26 12:45:20 · answer #3 · answered by angryirishman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am currently in Africa right now serving my country, the Africans I have asked about Kwanzaa do not even know what it is. They are split between Christmas and Ramadan considering it is close to half Christian and half Muslim where I am at.
2006-12-22 10:24:21 · answer #4 · answered by Cav Scout 19D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel I need to comment on somthing that was said above. I agree that if a particular race wants to celebrate their ethnicity they should be allowed to do so. Here in Hawaii were I live we have many different races living an close quarters. You will see stickers on cars proclaiming their ethnicity. For example if you are Samoan you can put a big Samoan sticker on your car or if you are Hawaiian you can put a big Hawaiian sticker on your car. This is looked at as pride in ones ethnicity. How ever if a white person were to put a WHITE sticker on their car it would automatically be considered rasist. Some food for thought. Personally I dont see different races.. I see man or woman. To me a person is a person what color their skin is makes no difference. WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
2006-12-25 22:56:57 · answer #5 · answered by Corbin d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel a need to jump in and comment on some of the previous statements made here. First of all, white ppl are not "brainwashed" just because you dont think they can understand you, in fact, a large percentage of whites are college grads. As far as celebrating things that were robbed from you-- dont forget that blacks sold slaves to the whites! Ok, one more thing, if it wasnt for ppl like Lincoln, blacks would probably still be slaves, and there would be no black inventors, so why the sarcasm?? I understand that it must be very hard for someone with a rough history to rise to the top (i am of jewish ethnicity), to keep blaming whites about current conditions, as well as to segregate yourself from whites doesnt help your situation at all.
2006-12-22 01:25:37 · answer #6 · answered by Mariya F 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In addition to what Betty Boop said and all the others, Kwanzaa(sic) was created by a professor of black studies back in the 60's. He created the holiday to help black people begin to understand their african heritage. He started the celebration to coincide with the christmas holidays because that is one of the few times of the year that families make an effort to be together.
My problem with the holiday is the holiday suggests that everything african is good, implying that everything american(white) is bad. If my understanding of african history, before the european colonization, is correct, the black africans were killing and enslaving each other because of tribal differences long before white people came to Africa.
2006-12-20 15:36:02 · answer #7 · answered by Dale S 2 · 10⤊ 2⤋
Both Christmas and Kwanzaa are rooted in paganism. There is no reason for Christians to celebrate either.
2006-12-22 00:38:51 · answer #8 · answered by babydoll 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is a holiday made to make white people more aware of black people, even though they already have a whole month. White people really get the short end of the stick on everything. You never hear of Polish heritage month. Oh, that's right, there is no Polish heritage month. Now, isn't it nice to be Polish?
2006-12-22 00:28:25 · answer #9 · answered by kweegonegin 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why are u asking me? Ask wikipedia!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa
2006-12-22 00:37:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋