STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 20
and Imani( faith).
Throughout the week, the focus is on learning, family and celebration, where communities come together to feast, honor ancestors, affirm bonds and celebrate African and African American culture, according to NMAAHC.
“ Each day they light a candle to highlight the principle of that day and to breathe meaning into the principles with various activities, such as reciting the sayings or writings of great black thinkers and writers, reciting original poetry, African drumming, and sharing a meal of African diaspora-inspired foods,” the website reads.
Tables are decorated with symbols of Kwanzaa, including the Kinara( candle holder), Mkeka( mat), Muhindi( corn representing children), Mazao( fruit representing harvest) and Zawadi( gifts). The Pan-African flag – in colors red( struggle), black( people) and green( future) – represents the celebration and is reflected in clothing worn by Kwanzaa participants.
In the past, the African American Student Association of Oklahoma State University celebrated the holiday at a Kwanzaa Ball held at the Starlight Terrace in the OSU Student Union, but the event has not been held in recent years. SwOk
STORY BY: JESSICA MARSHALL Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine PHOTOS PROVIDED
STOCK PHOTO / Metro Creative Services
Throughout the week, the focus is on learning, family and celebration, where communities come together to feast, honor ancestors, affirm bonds and celebrate African and African American culture...
when Africans were dispersed“ outside of the African continent,” the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy’ s website notes. Among the top countries where Africans were dispersed, Brazil stands at No. 1, while the United States and Columbia are the next top countries, respectively.
Kwanzaa is celebrated for one week, and each day builds on the next as participants observe seven core principles. Those principles include Umoja( unity), Kujichagulia( self-determination), Ujima( collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa( cooperative economics), Nia( purpose), Kuumba( creativity)
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 20