By MURPHY BROWNE (Abena Agbetu)
It’s beginning to look a lot like Kwanzaa. Yes, African people it is that time of year again!
In his 1977 released song “African” Peter Tosh sang: “No matter where you come from as long as you’re a Black man you’re an African” so yes, I am talking to you “African” as long as you are a Black man or woman.
Even if, heaven help us, you still think you are a Negro or Coloured you are included.
In his song Peter Tosh covered much of the perceived differences among us African people. Tosh sang: “No mind your nationality, you have got the identity of an African.” He also sang: “Don’t mind your complexion, there is no rejection, you’re an African.”
So let us celebrate, celebrate, celebrate Kwanzaa! For those who are not familiar with the celebration there are books that you can borrow from the library or buy from any African Canadian Caribbean (Black) owned bookstore in Toronto.
During the Kwanzaa celebration we practice the Nguzo saba (seven principles) of Kwanzaa. Ideally, we should be living the Nguzo saba every day but at least during the Kwanzaa celebration (December 26 to January 1) we can make a start and go from there. The fourth Kwanzaa principle is Ujamaa (co-operative economics) which means supporting the businesses in our community first.
To receive the correct information about celebrating Kwanzaa read the book written by the man credited with the establishing of the celebration. The book, “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture”, written by Dr. Maulana Karenga is available at the Toronto Public Library (TPL) with one copy listed on its website even though there are 100 branches in the TPL system.
All books published about Kwanzaa are not equal; it is shocking the misinformation in some books folks have written about the celebration of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is a 58-year-old celebration and now seems to mean different things to different people. Celebrations have morphed over the years.
Since there is only one copy of Dr. Maulana Karenga’s book “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture” (Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection) at the Parkdale branch of the TPL, buying the book would be ideal as a zawadi/gift for Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is a Pan-African seven-day celebration from December 26 to January 1 to reconnect Africans in the Diaspora to African culture and to celebrate family, community and culture.
Kwanzaa is a celebration for all Africans regardless of their religion or country of birth. It is a time to celebrate our culture, learn about our history, honour African ancestors and traditions, spend time with family and friends and look to our future as a people.
The Kwanzaa celebration inspired racial pride in African Americans (it was established in the U.S.) who, like other Africans in the Diaspora had been brainwashed into thinking that European culture was superior.
The values articulated in the seven Kwanzaa principles “Nguzo saba” resonate with Africans and the celebration which began with a few people in the USA in 1966 is now an international celebration.
Kiswahili, the most widely spoken African language is used during the celebration of Kwanzaa which comes from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” meaning “first fruits of the harvest”.
Decorating the Kwanzaa table is an opportunity to learn some Kiswahili words. There are seven symbols that make up the table setting for a Kwanzaa celebration. The mkeka (mat) is the foundation upon which the other symbols are placed. The kinara (candle holder) holds the mishumaa saba (seven candles). The kikombe cha umoja (unity cup), mazao (fruits and vegetables), muhindi/vibunzi (corn) and zawadi (gifts) are placed on the mkeka. To the greeting/question, “Habari gani?” the answer is the principle of the day.
The Nguzo Saba (seven principles) are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self- Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).
Each principle is represented by a candle (mshumaa). The colours used during Kwanzaa (red, black and green) are the Pan-African colours.
The Pan-African colours were chosen by the Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey on August 13, 1920. Black represents the African people; red represents the blood shed in our struggle for freedom and green is the symbol of our future and the richness of the African continent.
The Mishumaa saba (seven candles) are red, black and green. The black candle is placed in the centre of the kinara, the three red candles to the left of the black candle and the three green candles to the right. On the first day of Kwanzaa, December 26, the black candle, representing umoja (unity) is lit. On the second day of Kwanzaa, the first red candle next to the black candle, representing kujichagulia (self-determination) is lit. On the third day of Kwanzaa, the first green candle, next to the black candle, representing ujima (collective work and responsibility) is lit. The candles are lit in this alternating pattern until the last green candle, representing Imani (faith) is lit on the last day of the Kwanzaa celebration January 1.
December 2024 heralds the end of the first United Nations (UN) declared “International Decade for People of African Descent” (2015-2024).
On January 30, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau endorsed the Decade in Canada committing “to learn more about issues of Black communities in Canada, improving research and data collection, working with community organizations to advance positive change”.
As the year nears its end, the Canadian government has reportedly spent almost 10 million dollars fighting The Black Class Action Secretariat in court.
“The Black Class Action Secretariat is a non-profit organization committed to dismantling systemic discrimination in Canada’s public service institutions and organizations. The Secretariat is presently leading the landmark class action lawsuit (Thompson Vs. Her Majesty) against the entire federal public service.”
The lawsuit seeks justice for Black employees who have faced discriminatory hiring and promotion practices in government roles since 1970.
This fight is being led by Nicholas Marcus Thompson, “a Trinidadian Canadian human rights advocate, union leader,” who has worked tirelessly in this endeavour. It will be interesting to see how this “David vs Goliath” fight is “resolved” in 2025.
The name Nicholas Marcus Thompson will be as recognizable as our freedom fighters of yesteryear.
Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri! and Merry Christmas! to all who celebrate during this festive season.
ti*****@ho*****.com
