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While the seven-day Kwanzaa holiday began the day after Christmas, a season of gratitude and sharing continues.
Kwanzaa, celebrated annually between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, is recognized in many Black and African diaspora families’ homes. The celebration, which started in 1966, originated in California by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an American activist, author and African studies professor, to build morale and esteem within marginalized communities spanning across the U.S. and Canada.
Karenga designed the Kwanzaa celebration to highlight honoring the African American family, community, and culture with music, dancing, African drums, storytelling, poetry readings, and a traditional soul food or African meal. A candle is lit each day on the kinara/candleholder to represent the seven principals of Kwanzaa.
“Kwanzaa is not a religion, but a spiritual holiday. Anytime we gather as a family, we should acknowledge the ancestors,” said Professor Gershom Williams Sr. whose birthday is on the holiday.
He led the community celebration in Phoenix and explained the importance honoring the “ancestral connection,” from remembering those who have transitioned, to pouring libations, and giving “thanks to our elders and ancestors.”
“We should acknowledge the ancestors. Never forget and never again shall we experience or forget the enslavement of our ancestors,” Williams told the audience.
He recognized some of the elders and oldest attendees by having them stand to be honored.
“People thought if you celebrate anything other than Christmas, you must not believe in God. It has nothing to do with whether or not you believe in God. There’s nothing in it that causes you to hate anyone but it’s about helping community,” said Sharon Ukaha, 81, of Avondale.
The matriarch of four sons, 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, has celebrated Kwanzaa for 52 years. The St. Louis, Missouri, native said she was introduced to the holiday while attending junior college in California, and has celebrated it ever since.
“We just celebrated Kwanzaa on Zoom before we came here,” Ukaha said of the in-person and virtual family gathering on the first day of the holiday.
Her family attended the Phoenix celebration with her after recognizing the holiday on Zoom.
“I love Kwanzaa ... being with family, seeing everybody together, it’s totally nice,” said sixth-grader Gigi Blackman, 12.
Williams taught the crowd words such as: “Habari Gani” (hah – BAR – ee GAH – nee), which is a Swahili term asking, “What is the news?” He also shared Kwanzaa greetings saying, “Umoja,” which is the Black candle in the center representing unity. He explained the importance of the first fruits of harvesting, and tied it into the African continent, while stressing the importance of celebrating heritage, families, agriculture and more.
In the spirit of MLK
Meanwhile, the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 15. Celebrations will be held throughout the Valley to recognize the event as a day of service and cultural awareness.
• Tempe MLK Diversity Awards breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, at DoubleTree by Hilton, 2100 S. Priest Drive., with keynote speaker, Dr. Kenja Hassan, the Arizona State University Office of Government and Community Engagement assistant vice president. For tickets/details: tempe.gov/mlk
• 38th Annual Living the Dream Awards Breakfast will be held 8 a.m. Jan. 14 at the Phoenix Convention Center, South Building and an Interfaith Commemorative Program 8:15-8:45 a.m. Jan. 15
• Commemorative March will be held at East Lake Park starting with an assembly at 8:45 a.m. and the march beginning at 9 a.m., followed by a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 15; Youth Rally 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 20 at Phoenix College. See: azmlk.org for information.
• Commemorative Candlelight Service will be held 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 15 at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix
• Presented by the African American Advisory Committee, the Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., will host community chats, featuring discussions, film clips, and more at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, Jan. 23. The event will also be streamed live on facebook.com/tempehistorymuseum. Call 480-350-5100 for more information.
• Scottsdale’s 30th Annual MLK Jr. Celebration Dinner program, hosted by the Community Celebrating Diversity, will feature Dr. Battinto L. Batts Jr., educator/award-winning journalist, as guest speaker, and the 2024 Diversity Champions, Kris Cano and Dr. Velma Trayham. See: ccdarizona.org. The 30th Annual Community Celebrating Diversity 2024 MLK Celebration Dinner is 5:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at The Fieldhouse at Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale.
• The Eighth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration & Service will be held 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Jan. 13 at The Vista Center for the Arts, 15660 N. Parkview Pl. Registration begins at 8 a.m. for the 8:30-10:30 a.m. Day of Service projects. See: surpriseaz.gov/MLK.
More information on regional MLK events will come as details are finalized throughout the Valley.
Starting my media career in 1994, rumor had it that newspapers would not exist much longer. Years later, the newspaper is still around and so is my passion for storytelling and capturing life’s moments for the community.
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