As other student unions and programs around campus are throwing ugly christmas sweater parties and secret santa exchanges, the University of Oregon’s Black Student Union is preparing for their celebration of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 and is recognized to honor the African heritage and African American culture. Similar to other December holidays it entails a large feast and gift giving.
“The Black Student Union celebrates it slightly different than most,” said Olivia Manwarren, co-director of BSU. “We do it to build unity between our members. We come to campus and cook a big meal together. Then together we serve a meal, have programs like African dancing and poetry reading and have a keynote speaker.”
The holiday of Kwanzaa started in 1966 and was the first African-American specific holiday. The goal of the holiday is to celebrate what the founder, Maulana Karenga, called the seven principles or the communitarian African philosophy.
Kwanzaa celebrates the “Kawaida,” the Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days represents one of the seven principles which include unity (Umoja), self-determination (Kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (Ujima), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), purpose (Nia), creativity (Kuumba) and faith (Imani).
“It helps us build unity throughout our community and to help recognize our African heritage at the same time,” Manwarren said. “The most important part of our representation of the holiday is unity, being together and building that community with each other.”
When decorating and preparing for Kwanzaa, families typically decorate their homes with colorful art such as cloth and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. There are also Kwanzaa ceremonies which include customary acts of gratitude from children to their ancestors as well as libations, a reading of the African pledge a reflection of the Pan-African colors, a candle lighting ritual, an artistic performance and a large feast.
“We take pride in having Kwanzaa being our keystone event,” said Godwin Nwando, co-director of the BSU. “This is a time of the year to celebrate our history, our community and what has gone on through the years. It gives us a chance to sing, laugh and be a part of the community and have a good time.”
The BSU event was supposed to be held the first week of December, but due to the snow, it was postponed to a date in January.
The goal of the event is to fill the gap of understanding and allow both non BSU students and members of their union to understand what the holiday is about, Manwarren explained.
“I’ve actually asked several people recently what Kwanzaa is about and no one has been able to give me an answer,” said Brad Burke, undergraduate at the UO. “I don’t know much about Kwanzaa. Sticking with the general theme of the many other holiday gatherings during December, it’s about celebrating by spending time with the family.”