Page 12-The Michigan Daily-Friday, December 11, 1987 Students participate in Kwanza By SHEALA DURANT It's a day after Christmas, but beginning December 26, Black Americans will celebrate a holiday just as meaningful - Kwanza. The University's Housing Special Program's Office began the festivi- ties last week when more than 300+ University students gathered for pre- Kwanza activities held throughout the dorms.+ The seven-day program is designed to display a "feeling of oneness," said Housing Special Programs Assistant Robbie Dye. The holiday is an attempt to provide Black Americans with family and cultural ties without stressing the commercial ties inherent in Christmas. Kwanza "brings back a connection from our roots and reaffirms the connection between Afro Americans here in the United States and Africa," said Judy Sturgis Hill, housing's student services associate. Hill described Kwanza, officially observed from December 26 to January 1, as an "African-American cultural holiday." Kwanza, she said, is not celebrated anywhere in Africa,, but was founded by Maulana Ron Karenga and brought to the United States as a way for Black Americans to remember their roots. holiday This year's Pre-Kwanza celebration was coordinated by the Housing and Special Program's Office and the Black Student Union. The Pre-Kwanza events, including movies, discussions, guest speakers, talent shows, and various other forms of positive African American cre- ativity, were directed by the Minority Peer Advisors and the minority dorm councils of the residence halls. First-year LSA student Barbara Yearby said last week's Kwanza activities were "fun a n d enlightening." University students began celebrating the holiday here in the early 1970s. South Quad Minority Peer Advisor and LSA senior Kim Jones said, "Kwanza is designed to celebrate Black family, Black culture and Black community." Karenga is currently a lecturer in Pan-African Studies at California State University at Los Angeles and an adjunct professor of social change at the United States International University in San Deigo, California. The word Kwanza is Swahili for "first fruits." One of the more widely used languages in Africa, Swahili serves as the linguistic base of the Kwanza celebration. Kwanza is based on seven principles: Umoja (unity) strives for parties the maintenance of the Black family, community, nation and race; Kujichagulia (self-determination) defines, names and speaks for Black Americans; Ujima (collective work and responsibility); Ujamaa (cooperative economics); Nia (purpose) develops the Black community in order to restore Black people to "their traditional great- ness." Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith) are intended for Blacks "to believe with all our hearts in our parents, our teachers, our people our children our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle," said a Housing Special Program's bulletin. The dinner table setting is also important to Kwanza. Mkeka, the straw mat, represents tradition. The Kinara represents the seven branch candelabra which symbolizes the stalk from which "we all sprang." The Mshumaa are the seven candles which signify each of the above mentioned principles of Kwanza. The Mihindi, ears of corn represent the offspring of a house or nation. The Kikombe is the unity cup and the Zawadi are the gifts representing the fruits of the parents' labor and the rewards to children for good acts. I First year LSA student Crystal Gardner, above, shouts "Haranbee!" ("let us pull together") as part of the pre-Kwanza activities. Students, left, participate in the Kamaru (feast), traditionally held on the last night of the festivities. Photos by Karen lHandelman HALL OF FAEE BOWL TAMPA, FLORIDA 4 Day Holiday and Football Package $50 per room, per night (up to four persons to a room) 1-800-237-2555 Enjoy the Holidays and the Game in warm, sunny Florida at the new: DAYS INN ON ROCKY POINT ISLAND * Close to all bowl activities (five miles to Tampa Stadium) * Waterfront location * Centrally located within easy driving distance to all Central Florida's " "" "" T 7 H t T " l l 7 7 'i I . I I I: