For liberal studies senior Nesha Savage, Kwanzaa has taken on anew meaning this year.
Although she never celebrated the African-American holiday in thepast, Savage said her recent marriage and the birth of her newdaughter has brought the importance of Kwanzaa to new light.
“Now that I have learned about it, I think it’s something reallypositive that I can teach my little girl,” Savage said. “I havestarted a new family and I feel this is a good way to acknowledge ourAfrican roots.”
On Dec. 2, Savage joined other members of the Afrikan StudentUnion in honor of Kwanzaa, the non-religious holiday that celebratesthe African-American heritage, pride, family, community and culture.
ASU held a mock ceremony of the 30-year-old holiday that beginsthe day after Christmas and culminates on New Year’s Day.
“Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday,” Savage said. “It falls after
Christmas and after the excessive commercialization of theholiday. Gifts are given on merit. The true purpose is pullingtogether.”
Throughout the ceremony, ASU members presented readings about theimportance of helping African-Americans relate to the past in orderto understand the present and deal with the future.
Students spoke about important historical figures such as MartinLuther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Malcolm X.
Seven candles were lighted to symbolize the principles of Kwanzaaknown as the Nguzo Sabe. Each day throughout Kwanzaa, a new candle islighted to represent each principle.
The principles center on important values in the African-Americancommunity, such as unity, creativity, self-determination and faith.
The candles, called mishumaa, are the three colors of the BlackLiberation Flag three red, three green and one black.
Speakers led audience members in a ceremonial chant of “Harambee,”meaning “Let’s pull together.”
“Before tonight, I didn’t know a lot about it,” said MiLaniJohnson, a liberal studies sophomore. “I knew I wanted to come hereand learn. This is a celebration that I definitely want to start.”
Kwanzaa’s ancient roots lie in the African first-fruitcelebrations. In Swahili, the word Kwanzaa comes from “matunda yakwanzaa,” which means “first fruit.”
In 1966, Maulana Karenga, an African-American scholar andactivist, officially conceived Kwanzaa in the United States.
ASU has held Kwanzaa celebrations for more than 10 years.
