The 2022 celebration of Kwanzaa in Memphis began Monday morning amid blowing snow and the temperature a couple of degrees above freezing. Determined to kick off the annual observance, a band of faithful pushed forward and assembled downtown at the Auction Block at Main and A.W. Willis.
Organized by Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc., the gathering initiates a week-long acknowledgment and celebration of African-American culture.
After Osupa Moon set the tone for the occasion, Omar Baruti poured libations as he led a recalling and honoring of ancestors – historical and recent, including departed family members and friends of those who came out for the observance.
There were songs. And there were the sounds of African instruments, including those provided by Ekpe Abioto, who added to the ceremony by spreading dirt imported from the “Motherland.”
Historically each year, millions of African Americans gather with friends and family throughout Kwanzaa week to honor the holiday’s seven founding principles:
Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the seven principles, collectively known as the Nguzo Saba. An evening candle-lighting ceremony provides an opportunity to discuss the principle and its meaning.
On the first night, the black candle in the center is lit and the principle of Umoja (Unity) is discussed. This year, that ceremony was scheduled for Gifts of Life Ministries, 3381 Raleigh-Millington Rd. However, storm-related flooding there forced a late cancellation.
The Kwanzaa principles are:
Umoja (Unity): maintaining unity as a family, community, and race of people.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): defining, naming, creating, and speaking for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): building and maintaining our community – solving problems together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics: building and maintaining retail stores and other businesses and profit from these ventures.
Nia (Purpose): work collectively to build communities that will restore the greatness of African people.
Kuumba (Creativity): to find new, innovative ways to leave communities of African descent in more beautiful and beneficial ways than the community inherited.
Imani (Faith): the belief in God, family, heritage, leaders, and others that will lead to the victory of Africans around the world.
During Kwanzaa, participants greet each other with the Swahili phrase, Habari gani? Translated, it means “What’s happening?” “What’s the news?”
Each day’s principle is given in response.
So, on Monday morning amid the snowy weather and chilling temperatures, this exchange brought order to the day:
“Habari gani?” (What’s happening? What’s the news?+
“Umoja!” (Unity)
GALLERY
Last year, Mid-South Kwanzaa, Inc. shifted to hosting events on three designated days, with those days serving to honor multiple Kwanzaa principles instead of the customary observance of one principle each day.
Other observances scheduled this week:
Thursday, Dec. 29
Pearl Walker and Dr. Kevin Brooks will host a celebration of Ujamaa, cooperative economics at Providence A.M.E. Church, 384 Decatur Street (off North Parkway near Danny Thomas. The observance is presented by Kwanzaa 365 the talk show “Memphis State of the City.” It begins at 7 p.m.
Sunday, January 1
The annual celebration concludes with an observance at Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church, 3890 Millbranch Rd., where the Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher is pastor. It is set for 3 p.m.
(For more information, contact Pearl Walker at 901-289-6909; Osupa Moon at 901-237-1705.)
