Kwanzaa Celebrations in Westchester
Looking for a local option to celebrate a uniquely American holiday tradition? There are Kwanzaa celebrations throughout the lower Hudson Valley.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by college professor Dr. Maulana Karenga to preserve and promote African-American culture and identity. The word means "first" in Swahili and recognizes the first fruits of the harvest. The period runs between Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.
Kwanzaa uses seven candles to represent the principles and three colors: black for the people, red for their struggle and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle
At Doles Community Center in Mount Vernon, the Pan-African celebration has an emphasis on giving and sharing.
"What we do is to encourage people to make things instead of purchase items," says Eulahlee Myers, who organizes the yearly event. "It’s more personal; at least you spend quality times making it."
The community event has been held for the last 10 years attracting upwards of 60 to 80 people of varying faiths to practice the seven principles of Kwanzaa including unity, self-determination, working together, supporting each other, purpose, creativity, and faith.
"Seven people line up to do different stages," she says. "There are seven candles for the seven different stages." Myers says the seven principles are intertwined and stem from the first intention of unity.
Another important part of the celebration is libation to recognize people that came before them. "They sprinkle water or wine in remembrance of our ancestors in the room," says Myers. "Then there is storytelling about their life, ancestors, their children and their history."
The family event ends with refreshments and participants bring a cultural dish to share with the group, keeping the focus on unity.
The community gathering attracts a variety of Westchester participants with many dressing in their culture's attire.
"It’s all different faiths; its not one faith or color; it's basically a celebration of all of us, " says Myers. "Unity means a lot; it’s the number one goal, that's what it's all about."
The White Plains Slater Center Kwanzaa celebration started by the Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation welcomes all faiths to participate in the community meal following a music program with traditional drumming by Kofi, Sankofa Dance & Drum Ensemble, performances by YWCA GEMS, White Plains Youth Bureau, H.I.P. H.O.P., and White Plains Steppers.
The program is in it's 12th year and attracts over 125 people. "Kwanzaa is an inter-generational event, in the tradition of the community which brings everyone, young and old together," says Petra Thombs, an organizer of the White Plains event.
"It brings, specifically to the African American community, cultural practices which teach, strengthen and celebrate our heritage."
This year the group celebrates the third Kwanzaa principle, Ujima —meaning Collective Work and Responsibility — as a tool to build and maintain community.
Thombs explains the the cultural celebration is not a religion but rather recognizing differences by making room for individuals to honor their own faith.
"This allows for the community to worship in their own various ways before coming together for Kwanzaa," she says.
The Karamu feast is the communal feast of traditional foods follows the program.
"We invite various entities in the community to collaborate and participate," says Thombs." It's wonderful to come together and recognize each other through the principles. They show us how to be together and remind us of our values."
What: The Doles Community Center
When: Dec. 28 at 11 a.m.
Where: 250 S 6th Ave, Mount Vernon
Info: (914) 665-2447
What: Slater Center Kwanzaa
When: Dec. 28 at 2 p.m.
Where: Thomas H. Slater Center, 2 Fisher Court, White Plains
What: Annual Kwanzaa Celebration by Yonkers African-American Heritage Committee
When: Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.to 4 p.m.
Where: Yonkers Public Library - Riverfront Branch, Community Room A & B, 1 Larkin Center, Yonkers,