SHAWNEE ON DELAWARE, Pa. (WLVT) - Dec. 26 marks the first day of Kwanzaa, so PBS39 sat down with Cleo MeriAbut Jarvis, better known as the Kwanzaa Mama, for an inside look at how the holiday is recognized.
“Kwanzaa is not a Black Christmas,” said Kwanzaa Mama. “It has nothing to do with Christmas, and that’s why it starts on the 26th, because Christmas has already passed.” She said there are misconceptions about this holiday, so she works to educate communities on what Kwanzaa really means and to let people know that anyone can celebrate.
The holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, and the purpose was to honor African heritage and bring together African-American communities that were becoming divided.
“Kwanzaa has really been a unifying factor in a lot of places around the world,” said Kwanzaa Mama. “When you look at the seven principles, how could you go wrong living that?”
Here are the seven principles, along with their meanings:
Umoja - Unity
Kujichagulia - Self-determination
Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility
Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics
Nia - Purpose
Kuumba - Creativity
Imani - Faith
“Those are universal principles that everyone should live by,” said Kwanzaa Mama. She also educates people on the fact that Kwanzaa is not affiliated with any religion.
“Folks come together and talk about what plans they have for the future,” said Kwanzaa Mama. “What they have accomplished in the past year, how they need help, and how can the family assist them in getting their goals reached.”
The Kwanzaa Mama showed us her traditional setting for Kwanzaa at the Shawnee Inn. The Bendera ya Taifa (flag) is red, black, and green. The Mazao (crops) sit on the table in a woven basket and the Kinara (candle holder) and the Kikombe cha Umjoa (unity cup) stands atop the Mkeka (straw mat). Zawadi (gifts) are exchanged during Kwanzaa, but these gifts should not “break the bank.” Instead, they should be symbolic or meaningful. There are three red candles, three green candles, and one black candle in the middle to represent unity.
Kwanzaa Mama invites everyone to take time and celebrate Kwanzaa every year, and to remember to live out the seven principles every day.
