Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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6 Kwanzaa focuses KEITH BOUPHEMIX Tabloid Edrtor The celebration of Kwanzaa is meant to be an affirmation of the basic principles of life for the past year and for the year to come. Celebrated on the seven days after Christmas (Dec. 26 to Jan. 1) the holiday focuses on the fruits of a year's labor, gives thanks, evaluates the year's contributions to the family and community and sets goals for the next year. The Nguzo^ Saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa, are addressed one night at a time to focus a family's or community's thoughts on each of the principles. Reflection on the first night j: a i i._~ 1 it - ?:?:-i _ to uucvicu Luwaiu tiie principle of Umoja, or unity, and is followed by Kujichagulia (selfdetermination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith). The symbols of Kwanzaa all focus around the Mkeka, a straw mat where all the other symbols are placed during the celebration. On the Mk?ka is placed the Kinara, a seven-slot candle holder that, renrenents African American ancestry. The seven candles in the holder - one black, three red and three green - are known as Mishumaa Saba. Muhindi, or ears of corn, that represent the children in the family are also placed on the Mkeka. Mazao is a collection of fruits, nuts and vegetables representing the fruits of collective labor, and Kikombe Cha Umoja, or the unity cup, is used to make libations in remembrance of ancestors. Zawadi are the gifts exchanged on the last day of the holiday. Each night after the meal is eaten, the family will gather around the Kinara and begin the discussion of the day's principle On the first night, you light the middle candle for Umoja, Clinton lig Anodatod Pww WASHINGTON ? With the singii carols on a crisp night, President ( lit the national Christmas tree Wednesday and said the glow of it sparkling lights symbolizes the sei peace in Bosnia, Northern Ireland the Middle Bast. And with the 40-foot living Co blue spruce gleaming on the Ellips behind the White House, Clinton 1< from the stage and plucked 9-yearCatherine Hammill from the audie She is the little girl from Northern Ireland who moved him to near tet on positive images ^/yy/y'/y^ "I think Kwanzaa is important beca that is broader than a New Year's ri think it allows one to become spiril sensationalism of the holiday." Walter Jac which stands for unity, then you sa would reflect on how this princi- fa pie played out with respect to fo your family and the community Ei in the past year," said Walter th Jackson, director of us Multicultural Affairs. "Then you ea would spend some time looking a at how you would apply this cu principle to the coming year. You would follow the same pat- in tern for each of the other six et principles until you reach pa Imani." 1_ _*_Li iL !-. * - uracil nigni me unity cup is gi used to make libations to honor (ci ancestors. fe "The making of libations is a hi separate ceremony," Jackson fe hts national week with her account of the 0f brought by war, including th fintnn ^er own father. At that tree lighting in I g blonde, chubby-faced Cather arch for Catholic, joined hands with ] and uavia oterrett, a frotestant, Clinton's words, they togethe lorado wor^ ?f their hopes for the f e future in which the only ban eaned ^ace are the limits of their dr 0U Catherine Hammill and nee were sen* *? Washington by j newspaper, irs last speech, Clinton ap for wider public understands Holiday Shopper to improve life m I I ETHAN MYERS ON The Gamecock iuse it establishes a focus solution. It's complex, and I tually connected without the kson, director of Multicultural Affairs tid. "The elder member of the mily sprinkles water in all ur directions North, South, ast and West. The contents of ie unity cup is never alcohol, lually water or grape juice, and ich family member would take sip from the cup as they disiss the night's principle." Gift giving is de-emphasized Kwanzaa since one of the celtration's purposes is to focus on >rsonal development. "On the last day, gifts are ven and there is a big feast ailed Karamu) to wrap up the stival ? you give gifts you ' tve made, not bought, at the ast." Jackson said. "T think I Christmas ! tragedies decision to send U e killing of keeping mission t "Let us bless 1 Belfast, the Christmas time fr ine, a Roman Northern Ireland LO-year-old Bosnia," he said. " and, in for our own peaces jr told the go to Bosnia and t uture, a come home from I iers they "And as we lig earns." Christmas tree let her family lion small lights a a British blaze of glory, not our families, our n pealed again and for the future ng of his president said. TT AV\ CE1 In this time of and Hanukkah son. The Kwanz, Hanukkah is a Kwanzaa is important because it Ru establishes a focus that is broad- 32( er than a New Year's resolution. It's comDlex. and I think it allows one to become spiritually js , connected without the sensation- ^ alism of the holidayse^r Kwanzaa is more than just a .rv holiday for the people who cele- , brateit. ?h' "Kwanzaa is a way of living l"?"' because the principles should be applied daily as opposed to just during the holiday season and P^e should produce productive par- of ticipants in America's society," exp Jackson said. "Kwanzaa was created to in honor our cultural roots and the giv importance of family and com- his munity," said Carketa McCuller, an, Black Faculty and Staff saj Association secretary. Since the practices of A Kwanzaa are not well known, BFSA has asked Dr. Burnette *es Gallman, a Columbia physician who has been practicing see Kwanzaa, to come to USC and ^ac discuss how to properly conduct the holiday's practices. Gallman are will be speaking tonight at a tha Kwanzaa presentation in var s tree in Wa [.S. troops on a peace- He then 3 Bosnia. tree erupted :he peacemakers at this holiday bowi om the Middle East to ' rm_ _ x to our own troops in ine t Let us pray especially three-dimen makers, those who will The Whi hose who are soon to mony has be Iaiti " 1923, and CI ;ht this mapiificent switch box fi us remember, a mil- p., - n aa + ? i A Calvin Cooli dd up to make a great for ourselves but for ation and the world ^he present 1 of our children," the national Chi 1978. Friday, December 8,1995 7rSl FR1 holiday cheer, old, are just two ways p sa tradition values time for the Jewisl ssell House rooms 322 and > at 7 to 8 p.m. "I think BFSA wants to ke sure the USC community aware of the real meaning of anzaa and how it is to be celated and that is why we have ited someone to come in and are his knowledge," said etha Pigford, president of SA. Through the efforts of peolike Gallman the celebration Kwanzaa is beginning to >and. "Kwanzaa is a needed link a cultural continuum that es US a onnection with our torical, philosophical, ethical d moral origins," Gallman d. "Kwanzaa is gaining accepice in a variety of communii and a willingness from difent cultural backgrounds to it as a viable celebration," kson said. "It's a celebration t is craininer DODularitv: there particular states and cities it have community observes of Xwanzaa. shington pusned a Dutton ana tne . in a pattern of bright-red 3 etched by more than 6,000 ree is topped by a 36-inch, sional illuminated star, ite House tree-lighting cereien held continuously since linton used the button in a rst used in that year by dge. ides a cut tree was used. But iving tree has served as the istmas tree every year since