The misconceptions, differences and striking similarities
AS the Christmas Season slowly winds down, some usher in a new holiday. Kwanzaa is an African harvest festival that begins on December 26 every year. The holiday has been celebrated across Africa for ages, and has also been a part of Guyanese customs for more than three decades.
Although widely celebrated, not many people know exactly what Kwanzaa is, how it is celebrated, or even what it represents. There are a few misconceptions about the occasion, one of the biggest being that it drastically differs from, or opposes, the Christian Christmas holiday. Violet Baptiste is a long-standing member of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA). According to Violet, Kwanzaa and Christmas are not so different. Each has its own symbols, colours, principles, and means. And the first principle of Kwanzaa is one all Guyanese should be familiar with during Christmas: Unity.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival celebrated in Guyana by ACDA since 1992. At its core, the festival has seven principles referred to as the ‘Nguzo saba’. On Boxing Day, the first principle of unity was observed. In the following week, all the other principles will be celebrated. Next are self-determination or ‘kujichagulia’, and collective work and responsibility or ‘Ujima’, being the second and third principles. Cooperative economics or ‘Ujamaa’, as well as Purpose or ‘Nia’ followed by creativity or ‘Kuumba’ and ‘Imani’, meaning faith, concludes the week and the end of Kwanzaa.
Contrary to popular belief, Kwanzaa holds no religious significance as Christmas does to Christians. Violet stated, “It is a non-religious holiday. It is an African harvest holiday mainly focusing on family and community. It is a gathering and commemoration of the past. We gather together, and we chat. It is a recommitment to those tenets of African culture; that is what Kwanzaa is.”
Although little is known about this holiday in Guyana, it is celebrated worldwide, and has its own unique set or symbols, colours, and foods. Things such as the straw mat symbolise rich tradition, whereas a bowl of fruit represents reward after hard work. The ears of corn always represent Kwanzaa, signifying the ability of Africans to persevere despite setbacks. The seven candles are often the biggest symbol associated with the occasion, and speak to the seven principles themselves.
Violet stressed that although special in its own right, Kwanzaa is not so different from any other holiday, stating, “Kwanzaa, like all holidays, has certain colours, symbols, songs ans practices associated with it.” She drew comparisons between Kwanzaa and Christmas, stating, “For instance, if we are talking about Christmas, Christmas has colours of red and green. Kwanzaa has colours of red, green and black. Christmas has symbols like Santa Clause, Kwanzaa has symbols like the seven candles, etc.”
One of the most striking similarities between the two holidays is the act of gift-giving. Kwanzaa includes the act of exchanging gifts. Items exchanged during Kwanzaa are a bit different from the toys of Christmas. Because of its nature and history, fruits, vegetables and provisions are shared among family and friends during Kwanzaa. Violet told the Pepperpot Magazine that “Christmas has gifts and Kwanzaa has gifts. Our gifts are, however, a bit different. The gifts we give are generally gifts of harvest. Persons would bring what they plant, we share local things, like cassava and celery, things we plant.”
Violet says that the idea that Kwanzaa is limited to those of African descent is a false narrative. The sentiments of Kwanzaa are applicable to everyone, everywhere. Unity, cooperation, and faith are ideas that anyone can observe she explained.
The principles of Kwanzaa are not simply limited to the holiday. But they are rather general ideas that can be applied to the world. Violet stated that, Unity is the first principle; everyone can celebrate unity. determination or ‘kujichagulia’, and collective work and responsibility or ‘Ujima’, everyone should cooperate. In cooperative economics or ‘Ujamaa, and Purpose ‘Nia’, everyone has a purpose. Creativity ‘Kuumba’, Africans are not the only ones who are creative. Imani, faith, to believe in all our hearts in our parents, family and community, those are fundamental things that govern the whole universe.”
For those unfamiliar with Kwanzaa and what the occasion looks like or encompasses, it is best described as a fest. The programme began with libation and saw various plays and dances. This was followed by the lighting of the Kwanzaa candles. This is traditionally done by seven members of the audience, including men, women and children and an elder. The singing of folk and African songs entertained the people. The distribution of the Zawadi or gifts was done as people danced the in crowd. Countless foods and gifts were exchanged in the spirit of unity; it seems as though Kwanzaa and Christmas are not as different as they may seem.
