Today, January 1, is a Day of Self Reflection According to Kawaida Theory

Kwanzaa is based upon the premise of KAWAIDA:


"that social revolutionary change for Black America can be achieved by the act of revealing and disclosing individuals to their cultural African heritage." Karenga


Each year, on January 1st, Dr. Karenga suggests that we ask ourselves the three (3) Kawaida questions, originally posed by Frantz Fanon, author of "Wretched of the Earth."




KAWAIDA QUESTIONS:


1. WHO AM I?
"To answer the question of "Who am I?" correctly, then, is to know and live one's history and to practice one's culture."


2. AM I REALLY ALL I SAY I AM?
"To answer the question of "Am I really all I say I am?" is to have and employ a cultural criteria of authenticity, i.e., criteria of what is real and unreal, what is appearance and essence, what is culturally-rooted and foreign."


3. AM I ALL I OUGHT TO BE?
"And to answer the question of "Am I all I ought to be?" is to self-consciously possess and use ethical and cultural standards which measure men, women and children in terms of the quality of their thought and practice in the context of who they are and must become - in both an African and human sense."


http://www.endarkenment.com/kwanzaa/nguzosaba/sikuyataamuli.htm

THE MEANING OF KWANZAA

KWANZAA YENU IWE NA HERI!

 http://afgen.com/kwanzaa2.html

Kwanzaa is a spiritual, festive and joyous celebration of the oneness and goodness of life, which claims no ties with any religion. It has definite principles, practices and symbols which are geared to the social and spiritual needs of African-Americans. The reinforcing gestures are designed to strengthen our collective self-concept as a people, honor our past, critically evaluate our present and commit ourselves to a fuller, more productive future.


Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than 28 million people worldwide. Celebrated from December 26th to January 1st, it is based on Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance: 


Ritual Objects & Symbols
Mkeka -- straw table mat, on which all other objects are placed
Mazao -- crops, symbols of the fruits of collective labor
Muhindi -- one ear of corn for each child, symbolizing fertility
Kikombe cha umoja -- the unity cup, used to perform the libation ritual
Zawadi -- gifts, traditional items that encourage success
Kinara -- candleholder, a symbol of ancestry
Mishumaa saba -- seven candles, one for each of the seven Kwanzaa principles.


Each night, the family gathers to light the candles of the kinara, adding one candle for each day of the holiday. A traditional feast is held on the night of December 31.  Gifts are usually opened on the last day of Kwanzaa, January 1.  Gifts are considered part of the "kuumba," or creativity, principle and are encouraged. Traditional presents are books and heritage symbols. The Traditional Greeting is "Habari gani?", to which one replies with the Kwanzaa principle of the day.

DAY #1: MONDAY, 12/26

HABARI GANI? UMOJA 
(OO-MO-JAH) UNITY 
Stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are.

DAY #2: TUESDAY 12/27

HABARI GANI? KUJICHAGULIA 
(KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH) SELF-DETERMINATION 
Requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.  

DAY #3: WEDNESDAY, 12/28

HABARI GANI? UJIMA 
(OO-GEE-MAH) COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY 
Reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world. 

DAY #4: THURSDAY, 12/29

HABARI GANI? UJAMAA 
(OO-JAH-MAH) COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS 
Emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.

DAY #5: FRIDAY, 12/30/2011

HABARI GANI? NIA 
(NEE-YAH) PURPOSE 
Encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community. 

DAY #6: SATURDAY, 12/31

HABARI GANI? KUUMBA 
(KOO-OOM-BAH) CREATVITY  
Makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community. 

DAY #7: SUNDAY, 01/01

HABARI GANI? IMANI 
(EE-MAH-NEE) FAITH
Focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.

HARAMBEE! HARAMBEE! HARAMBEE! HARAMBEE! HARAMBEE! HARAMBEE! HARAMBEE!

"WHAT'S THE NEWS?"

KWANZAA EVENTS IN THE DC, MD, & VA AREAS

DECEMBER 27th,

 

                                                                                                                                   
It's Kwanzaa Time!!! - 2011

A lot of you were invited to different Kwanzaa Events but responded with I wish I could have been there, or I wish they had something like that where I am...
Well that is possible!
The Harambee Connection and friends once again invite you to join an Online Kwanzaa Gathering where you can attend at the comfort of your home, work, or wherever you are...
Connect with us at Tuesday, December 27^th 7-10pm eastern time:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/harambeeconnection/2011/12/28/the-hc-live-direct
or call in to (626) 696-8517 for your live participation.

This Online Global Kwanzaa Gathering is where you and other celebrants of Kwanzaa are coming together from near and far, representing a portion of the Africans in the diaspora that have this unique time to come together at the same relative time. Showing our Umoja, expressing our Kujichagulia and sharing in Libations, Spoken Word, Music and more....

Tell your friends and family, and join the gathering. We look forward to your presence and participation.

https://www.facebook.com/events/290242097686919/

Kujichagulia Night 2011. A Self-Determination Celebration

The Government of the UNIA-ACL Legal Defense Committee and the King Baba Kamau - Queen Mother James UNIA-ACL Divisioin 332 presents:
Keynote Speaker: Mama Tendai Paula Johnson of the African Diaspora Ancestral Commemoration Institute - ADACI

UNIA-ACL Citizenship Induction Program
President General: Senghor Baye
Counsel General: I-Nia Reginia Rogers
Inner-Attainment by KaBa
Candle Lighting Ceremony
Dinner Sales - African Market Place

Tree Of Life Community Public Charter School

2315 18th Pl. N.E., Washington, DC 20018
Free Admission
For Further Information Call: 202-636-1116

https://www.facebook.com/events/102533939863584/

DECEMBER 28^TH

THE DANCE INSTITUTE OF WASHINGTON
Fabian Barnes, Founder and Artistic Director

PRESENTS
DIW's Annual Spirit of Kwanzaa Celebration Concerts
Columbia Heights Education Campus Auditorium
3101 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC  20010

Wednesday, December 28th:
* Opening Night Performance, 7pm start; doors 6:30pm
 

 

AND

DECEMBER 29^TH
Thursday, December 29th:
* Evening Performance 7pm start; doors 6:30pm

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/214686 

DECEMBER 30^TH

NIA KWANZAA CELEBRATION - Hosted by Dr. Yew
Friday, December 30th (7pm - 10pm)
Everlasting Life
9185 Central Ave.
Capitol Heights, MD!
Cost - Donation of your choice
Vendors Needed!- Reasonable Pricing
Contact (202) 413-4581 for more info.

https://www.facebook.com/events/343370442346814/

 

 

December 31st Capital City Kwanzaa Festival

1:00p to 9:00p

at Showplace Exhibition Center, Richmond, VA

Price: $6-7

Phone: (804) 644-3900

Age Suitability: All Ages

Elegba Folklore Society, Richmond’s Cultural Ambassador, presents the 2011 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival on Saturday, December 31, 1:00 p.m. – 9:00pm at The Showplace Exhibition Center, 3000 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia.
The 2011 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival presents a carefully planned series of events that please the palette of attendees and capture the spirit and the significance of the Kwanzaa holiday.

RESOURCES

http://www.endarkenment.com/kwanzaa/nguzosaba/sikuyataamuli.htm

http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

http://toronto.mediacoop.ca/blog/ajamu-nangwaya/9463

KWANZAA AND THE NGUZO SABA

I AM AN AFRICAN IN AMERICA!

I AM CHINUE X!

I AM CREATED AND MOLDED FROM THE DIVINE CREATOR'S AND THE AFRICAN ANCESTORS’ OWN BLESSINGS!

I AM A DAUGHTER, SISTER, MOTHER, LOVER, FRIEND BUT FIRST AND FIRST MOST, I AM AN AFRICAN QUEEN!

I HAVE INHERITED GREATNESS AND ROYALTY FROM THE SOIL OF ALKEBULAN, KMT, AND THE RIVER NILE!

I POSSESS ANCESTRAL WARRIOR SPIRITS OF AFRICAN LINEAGE THAT DEMANDS, DEFENDS AND FIGHTS FOR EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR ALL AFRICAN PEOPLE!

IN HONOR OF ALL AFRICAN KINGS AND QUEENS, I WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED, DEGRADATED OR DEHUMANIZED!

I AM AFRICAN IN AMERICA!

Chinue X, November 30, 2011

TEACH FREEDOM

The self-conscious use of education as an instrument of liberation among Africans and Africans in American as old as education among African Americans. This dynamic anthology is about those forms of education intended to help people think more critically about the social forces shaping their lives and think more confidently about their ability to react against those forces. Featuring articles by educator-activists Fannie Theresa Rushing,Charles M.Payne, Susan Wilcox, Charles E. Cobb Jr, and others, this collection explores the largely forgotten history of attempts by African Americans such as Septima Clark, Ella Baker and Mary McLeod-Bethune to use education as a tool of collective liberation. Together these articles explore the variety of forms those attempts have taken, from the shadow of slavery to the contradictions of hip-hop. Contributors address Lessons from the Past and discuss Citizenship Schools in the south, Ella Baker and the Harlem Y, Mississippi Freedom Schools, and Black Panther Liberation Schools. Contemporary models are covered as well, demonstrating the depth and tenacity of the tradition in such efforts as the Freedom Schools established by the Childrens Defense Fund.

WHY CULTURAL REVOLUTION?

“In this Cultural Revolution, As Afrkns we MUST Deconstruct Eurocentric behaviors and ideologies of Individualism, in order to Reconstruct our Afrkn Self in Communal Collectivism. To be a True Pan Afrkn is to be CENTERED in Afrkn Tradition, Heritage and Culture – Grounded in the knowing of True Ancient Kmt Civilization and Afrkn Antiquity and our True Contributions to World Civilization and the building of the Americas. To be a True Pan Afrkn is to not view Yourself as an Afrkn American, but to see Your Self as an Afrkn. To "Know Thyself" as a True Pan Afrkn is to hold, as a Life Priority, the Best Interest of ALL Afrkn People.”


The Chinue X Project, Inc. September 2011

Chinue X's Book List #2

"A sterling effort to bring together ideas and research...in order to begin to build a foundation for an alternative education process for black children" Essie Manuel Rutledge, Contemporary Sociology

"Hale provides parents, teachers and school adminstrators with a model for a "culturally appropriate pedagogy" to insure more-positve educational outcomes for African American Children." from the Foreword by V.P. Franklin

"The seeds for the problem of the 13-21 age group were planted, watered, and cultivated long before, and bear the distinctive bitter fruits of motivation. We as a society continue to reap a weak, bitter harvest because we sow such weak, bitter seeds." Sanyika Anwisye, Co-Director, Frederick Douglas Institure, St. Louis

"Whatever individual or institution controls test construction, test production, test promotion and testmous power over the lives and fortunes of students,teachers, counselors, administrators, and American communites." The Late Norman R. Dixon dissemination exercises enor