Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Before you were inspired by – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas‘ from Connie Parker. Today, I feature Tameka Brice who is a member of the the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and she gives us insight into Kwanzaa and it’s wonderful cultural holiday celebration rituals. See how she explains the 7 Kwanzaa Principles to instill in your family this holiday season.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #60

‘Celebrating 7 Inspiring Kwanzaa Principles ’ – Tameka Brice

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. At least that is what Ronald Karenga, the founder of Kwanzaa, hoped for the people of African descent. Founded in 1966, Karenga’s purpose was to provide a holiday that inspired people of African descent to celebrate their heritage and culture. The original plan was for Africans and African Americans to celebrate the holiday instead of Christmas. It is widely-known the founder believed too many people of African descent were taking up the culture, history and identity of the dominant society in America instead of learning their own culture fully. As Kwanzaa became more popular, Karenga believed it was necessary for many Christians to celebrate the holiday along with Christmas. From December 26-January 1, Kwanzaa spans an entire week where each day has a specific meaning focusing on seven principles.

The seven Kwanzaa principles include the following:

1. Umoja (Unity): To aspire to have unity in the family, community, nation, and race

2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): This principle is an attempt to define who we are as a people.

3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): Am I my brother’s keeper? This principle means to build up our community, help those who cannot help themselves, and guide those who have the potential to achieve greatness.

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4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To create our own businesses and support businesses within the community.

5. Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to greatness

6. Kuumba (Creativity): To build up and keep our community strong, wealthy, and aesthetically beautifully for those generations who come behind us.

7. Imani: (Faith): To believe in our leaders and the purpose of our struggle for the benefit of achieving generational success.

Kwanzaa symbols: These symbols are used to set the table in African festive décor.

1. Decorative mat (Mkeka) that is placed on a table.

2. Corn (Muhindi)

3. Candle holder (Kinara)with seven candles (Mishumaa Saba)

4. Communal cup

5. Gifts (Zawadi)

6. A poster of the Seven Principles

7. An African flag with the colors of red, green, and black.

Although Kwanzaa may not be for every person of African descent, the goal for all is to embrace where we came from and who we are for the purpose of leading generations to follow down a path of ever-lasting knowledge.

About Tameka:

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Tameka Brice now resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child and dog. She is a Customs Brokerage Representative at a large brokerage firm. In addition, Tameka is currently finishing her dissertation. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, shopping, and experimenting with Pesco-vegetarian meals. The future aspirations of Tameka includes learning Spanish, traveling to Paris, writing a book, and just enjoying family time. This is a special time of the year. For those in the holiday spirit, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa.

For more Olioboard Inspiration on Stagetecture, click here.

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Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration and starts the day after Christmas – December 26th. Like any other holiday, it is the time to decorate the home and get together with friends and family members. During this time, families get together, exchange gifts, take parts in various sacred traditions, and share the feast of Karamu. Let’s see how can you celebrate the occasion with your dear ones:

What is Kwanzaa? Modern Ways to Celebrate this Holiday Season

Take Dinner With Your Family

Nowadays, people have become preoccupied with TV, video games, and a number of personal to-do lists. Kwanzaa gives you the chance of eating together with your family, which is wonderful because so much good can happen around a table. Prepare African dishes or cook healthy foods to recall agricultural harvests. Seating together, taking foods, talking, taking solace in each other will strengthen the familial bonds.

Implant Positive Values into the Young Ones

As Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration, you will have plenty of time to spend together with your family members. So, use this time to introduce the young members of the family with the great African heroes and the rich African cultures. Share inspiring stories of renowned cultural and historical figures with them. This will help them to take pride in their heritage and overcome inferiority complex if they have any.

Involve Your Family in the Community Works

One of the principles of Kwanzaa is to endorse collective work and performing the responsibilities toward others. By building unity among the members of your community irrespective of their ethnic roots and inspiring everyone to help and love each other, you can spread the positive values celebrated by Kwanzaa. Involve all of your family members into various community works and by this way, inspire them to promote practical acts of kindness.

Share Dreams and Pains with Your Family

Kwanzaa is a great opportunity not for just meeting your family members but for healing and dreaming too. Encourage the family members to share their pride and pains with each other. Someone may have gone through a bad experience lately, comfort him/her. Someone may have achieved something good, encourage him/her and inspire to do better. Instead of buying expensive gifts, give them something meaningful. For example, cooking a special dish or burning a disc of meaningful songs for your wife will please her more than having something expensive but generic.

Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration. So, it is by no means an alternative to religious holiday like Christmas or Hanukkah. Moreover, people of other cultures can also celebrate Kwanzaa as it recognizes broader values and messages like the unity of humankind. Try these easy and modern ways to celebrate this holiday season.

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.