Spring Break
Seven principles of Kwanzaa embraced
Campus 'Pre-Kwanzaa' celebration presents students opportunity for learning, growth, awareness of holiday
Kayla Durham
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
Community, family and the colors of red, green and black are all characteristics of the Kwanzaa holiday.
Last night over 150 students celebrated the holiday by participating in a Pre-Kwanzaa dinner hosted by the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center.
Kwanzaa takes root in African tradition and takes place during the last seven days of the year, Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.
The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili.
The first fruit celebration stretches back to ancient and modern times, according to the Official Kwanzaa Website.
Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce the seven basic values of African-American culture - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
"The one misconception about Kwanzaa is that it is a religious holiday," said DaMarcus Redeau, external coordinator of the Black Cultural Center.
"We want people to understand that it is a cultural celebration of community and family."
Each of the seven Kwanzaa principles is observed on a different day of the week.
"Since students won't be here for actual Kwanzaa, we are celebrating it early," saidBrittany Joseph, activities coordinator of the BCC.
"The Pre-Kwanzaa celebration is the BCC's biggest event of the year, so I'm pretty excited and nervous about it."
Each Kwanzaa principle was presented last night by seven different organizations on campus, including the African Student Association, Black Student Union and African American fraternities and sororities.
Each of the principles was honored in a unique way. The principle of creativity, (Kuumba), was represented by the Dime Squad through an interpretive dance.
Other representations included the fifth principle of Ujima (collective work and responsibility) by Delta Sigma Theta and the first principle of Umoja (unity) by the African Student Union.
Last night over 150 students celebrated the holiday by participating in a Pre-Kwanzaa dinner hosted by the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center.
Kwanzaa takes root in African tradition and takes place during the last seven days of the year, Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.
The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili.
The first fruit celebration stretches back to ancient and modern times, according to the Official Kwanzaa Website.
Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce the seven basic values of African-American culture - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
"The one misconception about Kwanzaa is that it is a religious holiday," said DaMarcus Redeau, external coordinator of the Black Cultural Center.
"We want people to understand that it is a cultural celebration of community and family."
Each of the seven Kwanzaa principles is observed on a different day of the week.
"Since students won't be here for actual Kwanzaa, we are celebrating it early," saidBrittany Joseph, activities coordinator of the BCC.
"The Pre-Kwanzaa celebration is the BCC's biggest event of the year, so I'm pretty excited and nervous about it."
Each Kwanzaa principle was presented last night by seven different organizations on campus, including the African Student Association, Black Student Union and African American fraternities and sororities.
Each of the principles was honored in a unique way. The principle of creativity, (Kuumba), was represented by the Dime Squad through an interpretive dance.
Other representations included the fifth principle of Ujima (collective work and responsibility) by Delta Sigma Theta and the first principle of Umoja (unity) by the African Student Union.
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