Just a few photos from this years Karamu. I've mentioned in a previous post (read all Kwanzaa posts here) that we host our Karamu on January 1 instead of the traditional December 31. We hadn't planned to show The Black Candle, MK Asante's new feature length film about Kwanzaa, (see the trailer here), but there are always a few people who hang out for 'the party after the party' so we watched it in the evening.
Enjoy...
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The children were at the center of things.
It was a potluck in the spirit of Ujima.
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Wangari made salmon, Kenyan spicey rice and white rice. Naomi's Liberian collard greens were made with fish and chicken.
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Helping hands were indispensable.
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Such 'Kuumba' (creativity)!
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[Oh, what the hay! I guess I'll toss in a few sisterlocks hair photos for the start of the new year anyway!]
If you ever happen to find yourself in the Atlanta area, make sure you go to the West End and visit the Afrocentric Network.
The shop owner, Margaret, a Kenya native, will welcome you with her big, dimple-framed smile. If she isn't there, Atieno, who has an equally pleasing personality will make you feel right at home.
Atieno with individual braid extensions
The store carries a large selection of African and African-inspired clothing for both women and men. Margaret carries 'Kriswear' - the label under which designs by the award winning Ghanaian designer, Kwasi Christian, are sold.
Couldn't leave this Senegalese design in the store!
Wore it to the Gala!
There is something that will appeal to every taste within their extensive collection of jewelry. Accessories like hats, scarves, and handbags pepper the store in abundance.
The wide variety of fabrics including cottons, mudcloth, light and heavy lace and upholstery weight fabrics are a favorite with Atlanta area designers.
Margaret carries artwork, sculpture and home accessories from across the entire African continent - from prints to masks to soapstone to thumb pianos.
You can also find toiletries like raw shea butter, black soap, incense and oils.
The Afrocentric Network is a one stop shop for African linens, masks, statues, ornaments, artwork, apparel and accessories. They are located at 576 Lee St
Atlanta, GA 30310. (404) 756-0200.
When you visit, tell Margaret or Atieno that you heard about the Afro Centric Network on DocsLocs' blog!
It heralds the grand holidays and the swell of our great expectations for the new year. It precedes my favorite holiday, Kwanzaa, and fills me with great anticipation for the many Kwanzaa celebrations in and around the city.
I was excited to receive an email from my friend, Esi, asking me if I had heard about a new film - documentary about Kwanzaa called "The Black Candle."
I've been noticing a re-emerging hostility towards Kwanzaa, particularly on the conservative blogs...and I'm reassured that we must be doing something right.
I smile when the lovely Ann Coulter feels the need to post...
"I've seen so few mentions of Kwanzaa this year, I was going to declare my campaign a success...I believe more African-Americans spent this season reflecting on the birth of Christ than some phony non-Christian holiday invented a few decades ago by an FBI stooge. Kwanzaa is a holiday for white liberals, not blacks." (Jewish World Review, January 8, 2008)
The boys at our friends' annual Karamu 2007-08
Smart lady. Interesting tactic. Work the 'non-Christian' angle and then claim "war is peace" (Kwanzaa is a white holiday).
I made this door hanging from a placemat, 2 flags, a mini-Kwanzaa kit, candles and a hot glue gun!
If Ann Coulter and others are so threatened by this simple celebration of Afrikan unity and self-determination, that they expend the time and energy to bash it so --- we must be doing something right.
Candle lighting ceremony at our Karamu 2006-07
I am reminded of one of my mother's favorite declarations: "The opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference."
Don't expect indifference towards Kwanzaa. Expect vitriolic derision...
...then keep on affirming self...
...and smile. ;o)
Karamu is the Kiswahili word meaning feast.
The karamu is traditionally celebrated on December 31. We hold our karamu on January 1. I figure that after partying (or praying) the night before, people might like to have someone else do the cooking on New Year’s Day.
January 1, is also Jubilee Day, for South Carolinians like my mom. January 1, 1863 was the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation.
There was, apparently, a Jubilee Day celebration in the Caribbean when the British outlawed enslavement, as well.
Juneteenth, celebrated June 19th, is the better known Emancipation Holiday. I just discovered that it is recognized in about thirteen states. It is the date when the news of emancipation finally reached Galveston, TX - the western most part of the US at the time.
We had the traditional pouring of the libation, candle lighting, harambee and, of course, dinner. A storyteller entertained the children. We adults played Kwanzaa 20 Questions. My husband complained that it was too challenging, but I think every one had a good time.
As always, close friends stayed late into the night engaged in social and political debate and nation building banter.
Kwanzaa 20 Questions instructions coming soon!
A post about Kwanzaa? In March?
I started to blog about Kwanzaa and our annual karamu when I started this blog, but I've been neglectful of my Kwanzaa blog and it is with great sadness that I've decided to delete it.
I was surprised when I couldn't find any other blogspot blogs about Kwanzaa when I started mine. That told me that there is a need! But sadly, my schedule will not allow me to do my Kwanzaa blog justice. So I've decided to post some of the content of that small, short-lived blog here.
I hope you are inspired by our decorations and express the principle of Kuumba (creativity) when making yours this year!
