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Pan-African Ritual: Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a one of the African-American and Pan-African holidays celebrated from the 26 of December to 1st of January. Kwanzaa is a type African American cultural holiday that celebrates black culture, meaning “the first fruits” which in Swahili is matunda ya kwanza. The extra “a” in the name is used to make a seven-letter word, which signifies the seven principles of the holiday, upon which it is based, going for seven days, each day represented by a certain principle. The first principle is umoja, which means unity; the second is kujichagulia, meaning self-determination, followed by Ujima, meaning collective work as well as responsibility. The fourth is ujamaa, meaning cooperation in the economic work, the fifth is nia meaning a purpose, followed by the sixth kuumba, that means creativeness, and finally imani, that means faith.
What makes Kwanzaa a ritual is the practices that are conducted during the seven days of the holiday. The ritual starts with spreading a carpet on the floor, called mkeka in Swahili. It is decorated with African culture, signifying the foundation of their culture. The next thing is lighting a kinara, which is a symbolic candleholder with seven candles signifying the seven principles. Then agricultural product comes in as a symbol of good harvest from their labor. A cup of unity, known as kikombe cha umoja in Swahili is passed around for libation pouring for the ancestors. The rituals are performed every year, in certain ways that are repeated year after year, and by the same community, meant to be a celebration signifying their life, hence making it a ritual.
The Kwanzaa can be compared to other African American culture. The main ritual that can be compared to Kwanzaa is the family unity that has much emphasis in the black culture. Unity among the family is brought together by the activities the family does together, such as eating, drinking and dancing, which are meant to celebrate a culture. Many African families enjoy their culture through songs and dances, just the same way Kwanzaa does. Other rituals such as libation had been practiced in honor of the ancestors even before Kwanzaa rituals were started, making it compare with others.
Response 1)
McCray, in her essay on Kwanzaa holiday, has started by explaining what Kwanzaa is, and who started it, giving a brief history of the holiday to bring the reader to an understanding of her next point, which is what is celebrated. She also gives an overview of where it can be celebrated, such as churches, people who cerebrate this holiday, citing its seven principles for a better understanding. She then gives her reasons why it is a ritual, and finally compares it to other rituals for a clearer understanding of what kind or ritual it is. She has given a precise overview touching on the most crucial things one needs to know.
Response 2)
Jasmine starts his paper by citing who was the founder, as well as the reasons it was founded. This gives a clear overview of why the holiday is celebrated, and cites which community celebrates this ritual. He then proceeds to give succinct but clear information of how it is celebrated, by mentioning the items that are used during the celebrations. In his description of the items, he manages to tell the reader that it is a symbolic ritual for the black culture. He finally states what makes it different form the rest of rituals, saying it is growing each year, to show the response it has gained from people, managing to position it in the readers mind as a ritual that is already embraced by the people it is meant for.
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