Kwanzaa celebration with arts and culture

ASKAR ABAYEZ | PEXEL

Kwanzaa, established in 1966 by Maulana Karenga in California, has grown as a celebration of African culture around the world.

Kwanzaa season is around the corner.

Kwanzaa Charlotte is organizing daily in-person celebrations with historical and education programs along with artistic expressions Dec. 26-Jan. 1.  

Celebrations will be held from 7-8:30 p.m., Dec. 26-Jan. 1 at Movement School, 2701 Freedom Drive. All events are free, and open to the public. Drumming, music, dance and spoken word are among the artistic expressions.
An African Marketplace will precede the daily celebrations from 6-7 p.m. and following from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 26-31.  

Kwanzaa is an African American celebration of family, community, and culture that started in 1966 by Maulana Karenga in California as non-heroic and non-religious observances. Kwanzaa is based on African “first fruits” harvest celebrations, which were times of ingathering of the people, reverence for the Creator, commemoration of the past and a recommitment to our highest cultural ideals.

“Kwanzaa brings a cultural message, which is both particularly African and definitively human,” Karenga said of the celebration. The Kiswahili language is used to express the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles, which have universal value in their call for thoughtful and practical applications daily.

Kwanzaa celebration dates, Nguzo Saba principles and times. All programs will be held at Movement School, 2701 Freedom Drive.  

Dec. 26 Umoja (Unity)

6 p.m. – African Marketplace

7-8:30 p.m. Kwanzaa program

8-9:30 African Marketplace  

Dec. 27 Kujichagulia (Self–determination)

6 p.m. – African Marketplace

7-8:30 p.m. Kwanzaa program

8-9:30 African Marketplace  

Dec. 28, Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)

6 p.m. – African Marketplace

7-8:30 p.m. Kwanzaa program

8-9:30 African Marketplace  

Dec. 29, Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

6 p.m. – African Marketplace

7-8:30 p.m. Kwanzaa program

8-9:30 African Marketplace  

Dec. 30, Nia (Purpose)

6 p.m. – African Marketplace

7-8:30 p.m. Kwanzaa program

8-9:30 African Marketplace 

 
Dec. 31, Kuumba (Creativity)

6 p.m. – African Marketplace

7-8:30 p.m. Kwanzaa program

8-9:30 African Marketplace  

Jan. 1, Imani (Faith)

7-8:30 p.m. Kwanzaa program

Day of Reflection and Contemplation     

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