The Kwanzaa holiday kicks off today for a seven-day celebration of black culture and black consciousness at dozens of venues throughout metro Atlanta.
"Kwanzaa is a time of harvest where we acknowledge the fruits of our labor from the year and a time to prepare for our future harvest in the coming year," said local entrepreneur Akumba Ashanti. "During Kwanzaa we take time to reflect, give thanks and prepare for improvement in the coming year."
Ashanti and other organizers are hosting their second annual Kwanzaa Kickoff from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Café Ulu, 2036 Sylvan Road SW in Atlanta.
It's one of dozens of Kwanzaa celebrations that will go on throughout metro Atlanta through Jan. 1. Kwanzaa is celebrating its 53rd anniversary this year. The secular holiday was created in 1966 by Pan-African activist and academic Maulana Karenga. The holiday draws influence from a variety of African cultures and practices.
"Kwanzaa is a self-empowering and unifying force, which encourages creativity over consumerism and which has seven very practical principles for each of its seven days which are, in essence, universal in nature," said Atlanta dance instructor and entrepreneur Rashida Abdullah. She plans to celebrate Kwanzaa at several events, and will be vending her popular popcorn at a Kwanzaa celebration at the Russell Center on Northside Drive.
The gist of the holiday: Kwanzaa is observed for seven days, and a different principle is highlighted each day. The principles of Kwanzaa are: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), and Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
“These principles are each great models by which to govern one’s daily life, said Abdullah. “Kwanzaa is a great reminder and \ cultural display of the African American's contributions throughout the world & to civilization as a whole.”
Kwanzaa has continued to be a strong presence in metro Atlanta, said Ashanti, whose celebration last year drew large crowds.
“The level of community support and interest from the first Kwanzaa Kick-off was so great that we knew we had to make it an annual event,” he said. He’s expecting up to 400 people for the event that will feature numerous vendors, healthy vegan food, dancing and live drumming. Atlanta artist Baba Harold Atu Murray, a master of the drum, will be a featured guest. “Baba Atu will also be gracing us with his presence and will be joining using the drum call.”
Credit: jonathan philips
Credit: jonathan philips
Other celebrations include:
December 26
-- 2nd Annual Kwanzaa Kick-Off, 5 – 9 PM, Cafe ULU, 2036 Sylvan Rd SW, Atlanta, GA
-- Kwanzaa Celebration, 3 – 5 PM, Amphitheater at Riverdale Town Center, 7210 Church St, Riverdale, GA
-- Kreative Kwanzaa, 2:00 – 3:30 PM, Northwest Library at Scott's Crossing, 2489 Perry Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA
-- Kwanzaa Drum Circle & Dance!, 6:00 – 8:30 PM, Serenity Salt Cave & Healing Center, 2415 Heritage Village #3, Snellville, GA
December 27
-- The Kujichagulia Afrikan Warriors' Black Book Fest!, 6 – 11 PM, Omenala Griot Afrocentric Museum & Event Center, 337 Dargan Pl SW, Atlanta, GA
December 28
-- Black Friday: Kwanzaa Edition at Omenela Griot Hosted by Black History Enterprises, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dec. 28 337 Dargan Place SW Atlanta,
-- Kwanzaa in Atlanta, Sat, 11 AM – 5 PM, Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA, 2220 Campbellton Rd SW, Atlanta, GA
-- Uhuru Kwanzaa 2019, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Mohammed Schools of Atlanta, 735 Fayetteville Rd SE Atlanta, GA
-- Kwanzaa at Children's Museum of Atlanta, Children's Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA
December 29
-- Free Kwanzaa West African Drum and Dance Class, 12:30 – 2:30 PM, Decatur School of Ballet, 102 Church St, Decatur, GA
