OxBlog

Friday, December 26, 2003

# Posted 2:15 PM by Patrick Belton  

A VERY HAPPY KWANZAA today to all of our African American readers and friends! Each of the seven days is given over to one of seven principles, each known by their name in Kiswahili. Today, for instance, is Umoja, dedicated to unity and togetherness; tomorrow is Kujichagulia, for self-determination and making decisions in the best interest of celebrants' families and communities; later days mark Ujima (for collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (for mutual economic support), Nia (purpose and setting goals), Kuumba (creativity, which resounds as an architectonic concept in the writings of Rev. Dr. King), and Imani (faith).

It's a beautiful holiday, and in its use of the menoraic Kinara and its extension over many days it bears striking similarities with Hanukkah - evoking the historically strong emotional and symbolic relationship between Jews and blacks in the United States, dating from the prophetic influence in spirituals and black homiletics to the experience of shoulder-to-shoulder struggle beside each other during the Freedom rides and the struggle for voting rights in the American south. So we wish you Kwanzaa yenu iwe heri!: Happy Kwanzaa!
(0) opinions -- Add your opinion

Comments: Post a Comment


Home