THE African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) hosted its annual Kwanzaa ceremony at its Thomas Lands, Georgetown, headquarters on Wednesday. Executive Member, Mr. Eric Phillips explained that there are seven principles of Kwanzaa which are celebrated from December 26 to January 1.
They are Umoja or Unity; Kujichagulia or Self-Determination; Ujima or Collective Work and Responsibility; Ujamaa or Cooperative Economics; Nia or Purpose; Kuumba or Creativity and Imani or Faith.
He said there are Kwanzaa celebrations in different parts of the country and ACDA also gives support to other organisations that celebrate the other days throughout the seven-day period.
Phillips recalled that ACDA started to celebrate Kwanzaa approximately 15 years ago and now it is also combined with their scholarship programme.
He said the Centre for Learning African Orientation has children from between two to seven years old in about six different groups and, every year, the number of students increases. Presently there are students up to grade four who will, ultimately, take the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination and move on.
“In essence, we’re trying to nurture young leaders and have them grounded in traditional African values,” Phillips stated.

SEVEN CANDLES
Wednesday’s programme began with ACDA’s affirmation and included libation, which is done to praise the Creator and the lighting of the seven candles of Kwanzaa, three green, three red and one black, each representing one of the seven days.
At the function, people were called out of the audience, ranging from youngest to oldest, to participate and as they talked about the different principles, the candles were lit.
“There is a lot of singing; there is a lot of celebration and there is a lot of food. There is also a cultural part in which we have drumming,” Phillips said.
In addition, he disclosed that ACDA prepares hampers of fruits and vegetables and other foodstuff like flour, oil and rice which everyone who attends would receive.
Phillips said heroes are honoured at the event and he disclosed that next year will mark the 250th anniversary of the Berbice Slave Rebellion and Kwanzaa would kick off the milestone programme that would consist of about 20 different events countrywide.
“We have partner groups in Linden, Essequibo and Berbice where we will do things. We invite the schools, we have exhibitions,” he said.