Kwanzaa
Tonight was not my first Kwanzaa celebration, since I recollect having been to some while in college. But it was certainly the most interesting and most exciting Kwanzaa party that I have had the privilege of attending.
Mama-Lisa lined up all the children, and in performance-style oratory, told the story of Kwanzaa and observed some of the celebrations. Among the Great Africans / Black people who were celebrated were ones you know well, but don't necessarily think of as "Black". Cleopatra and Imhotep (architect of the pyramids). It was as enlightening for the adults who affirmed Mama-Lisa's every sentence in true Black style. Mama Lisa also explained her name as being chosen to celebrate her African roots versus her given Eurocentric name.
Kwanzaa is about Black pride and Black Unity. It was started in 1966 in response to the Watts riots in California in 1965, a reaction to racial injustices suffered in Los Angeles. The 7 days of Kwanzaa (starting on the 26th of Dec) each have an African value to celebrate, and all 7 are based on the African values of communitarianism. More on Kwanzaa at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa. Being cultural, it has evolved to be observed by Black people either in conjunction with, or as an alternative to simply "imitating the practice of dominant society." (Wiki)
What was really neat about the party was that the hosts had set up their basement full of African celebrations and learning, to breathe life into Kwanzaa. Among others, there were
* A series of plates, each on a great King (or Queen) of Africa, most of whom I'd never heard of. It made me consider once again who was writing history and how history gets embedded into minds as a result of its recording.
* Several African instruments - some like the Djembe that are familiar to me, and others I couldn't previously name like the Balafon, Sanza, Rakatak, Cabasa / Shekira etc. K totally got into those, despite it being past her bed time.
* A table for a mini-building / carpentry workshop, to learn self sufficiency, a community craft - for Ujaama (cooperative economics) and Kuumba (creativity).
* A display of folk art and theatrical African costumes.
* A play-money area set up for parents to help their children learn about cooperative economics (aka "The Black dollar").
* African-American centric, or otherwise African American books, from infant board books, to teenage novels, presumably to celebrate Kujichagulia (Self Determination) and Nia (Purpose). This along with my recent search for books on Indian culture for my U.S. born child reminded me of how main-stream culture was subtly pervasive, and therefore persuasive.
K and I read a sweet baby book together, whose only Black attribute was its illustrations of a Black parent and Black child, a seemingly insignificant, but telling difference from the mainstream.
The array of food had several "Black" cuisine items, including popular culture's fried meats, popcorn chicken and sausages to what I thought was Jollof rice.
It was hard to tear myself away from the cultural fascination I felt. The pride was tangible and made me want to participate in it. It was a classy and authentic celebration of Blackness that I felt privileged and pleased to be a part of and experience. Thank you D&K G.