Live Oak — Today marks the beginning of the Kwanzaa holiday which runs through Jan. 1. The holiday has been described as not a religion, but a celebration of heritage not only of African-Americans, but of anyone of African origin.

The holiday Kwanzaa was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits”. Kwanzaa builds on the the five fundamental  activities of Continental African “first fruit” celebrations: ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment and celebration.

Kwanzaa was established by Karenga, a professor in the Department of Black Studies at California State University back in 1966. During this transitional and often tumultuous time, while the Black Freedom Movement was making headway, Kwanzaa was to reflect the concern to be culturally grounded in thought, practice, unity and self-determination associated with it.

Marilyn Porter, formerly of Philadelphia now living in McAlpin, celebrates Kwanzaa each year.

“Kwanzaa is a celebration of our survival in the United States,” said Porter. “It officially starts the day after Christmas on the 26th. A candle is lit each day for seven days through new years.”

Porter said that among other things, she has a kinara, the seven candle holder and drums that she and her family use in their celebration.

“There are activities for the children and things to do,” said Porter. “It can be open to the community, but we celebrate just more with our family.”

Kwanzaa is celebrated differently from community to family. Porter said that each day can by itself be a celebration. She explained that it’s up to the individual about which day or days they celebrate. Some go all out with the clothes, decorations and even food they prepare being of African origin.

“It’s really what a person wants to do,” said Porter. “Some may want to make Afrocentric type food like ground nut stew or something, but it’s about a family coming together.”

Porter also said that the feast is usually for the last day of Kwanzaa which is New Year’s Day. This day is also the day that the children are given gifts.

“The presents that the kids are given are made, not bought,” said Porter. “They’re not toys to play with, they usually have some cultural significance.”

Locally, Kwanzaa hasn’t really caught on. In the past, Porter and others have tried to implement it and build a stronger foundation and following of the celebration and its meaning. The response was less than expected.

“It’s not too big down here,” said Porter. “It seems the further inland you go, the people seem less privy to it. The coastal towns like Jacksonville, it’s bigger there.”
“We tried it a couple of years, we really wanted to do it,” said President of Christian Mission in Action ministry, Audrey Howell. “We didn’t get the support.”

Howell said that they had advertised and supposedly gotten the word out, but results didn’t seem to fare too well.

Porter thinks that the lack of care is attributed to just lack of knowledge and assumption.

“It’s not well attended by the masses,” said Porter. “Black people here think it’s a religious thing.”

Porter went on to explain that it’s purely a cultural celebration and that anyone of all faiths could embrace it because of its significance to heritage, not religious beliefs.

Although the past turnouts for a more community-based celebration haven’t been overwhelming, Porter still may want to try again soon.

“I may form a Kwanzaa committee,” said Porter. “It’s a shame not more of us are involved. I don’t agree with all of Karenga’s thoughts, but Kwanzaa is a great gift, probably the greatest gift of the century.”

Porter added that although Kwanzaa is mainly about people of African descent embracing their heritage, it doesn’t matter what color or race you are; Kwanzaa is a celebration and all are welcome.