Community Corner
Kwanzaa Observances Today and Dec. 30.
Celebrate with the Queen Ann Nzinga Center of New Britain.
The seven-day Kwanzaa celebration is not a religious holiday. Rather, “It’s to keep the village together,” said Elaine Peters, organizer of two upcoming Kwanzaa events in the region.
The observances are:
- "Rekindling Kwanzaa Principles” , today, Dec. 27, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wilson Library, 303 Washington Ave, New Haven
- 22nd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. at Trinity-on-Main, 69 Main Street, New Britain, $10, $5 for children, or good-will offering.
Dayna Snell, director of the Queen Ann Nzinga Center in New Britain, said Kwanzaa is an opportunity to celebrate positive values.
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Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by civil rights advocate Maulana Karenga as an African-American heritage observance. The name is derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanzaa,” which means “fruit of the harvest.” Up to 30 million people worldwide now celebrate the holiday.
A candle is lit for the seven days of Kwanzaa for each of seven principles that represent Karenga’s view of traditional African culture:
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- unity
- self-determination
- community responsibility
- cooperative economics
- purpose
- creativity
- faith
“It’s a nice, comfortable environment,” said Elaine Peters, about the New Haven event. “All drummers are welcome, because we might have a drum circle afterward.”