|
Kwanzaa to celebrate culture, sharing
The time of year has come for people to come together to celebrate family, culture and sharing.
With that in mind, Kwanzaa will be celebrated in St. Cloud early this year with performances and food for the community.
There will be a Kwanzaa performance called “Homage to the Elders” held at the Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud Dec. 10 and 11. “African Roots, American Fruits” will be held Dec. 14 at the Boys and Girls Club, featuring music, games and a potluck dinner.
Kwanzaa, Swahili for “first fruits of the harvest,” is an African American celebration that honors family, culture and sharing with others. On the seven days of Kwanzaa families honor Nguzo Saba, or the Seven Principles. The principles represent unity, self-determination, responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, faith and serves as a guideline for daily living. Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, with each day representing a different principle to honor.
“Kwanzaa is a very symbolic celebration of pride and culture, geared to help African American children with self-esteem, pride and knowledge of their roots,” said Hedy Tripp, who works in the Ethnic Studies Program.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulena Karenga, who felt that a celebration was necessary for the descendants of slaves to learn the importance of sharing with family and friends, as well as taking pride in their own African roots. Kwanzaa is a unique, non-religious holiday open to all religions and social groups for several purposes of diversity. Since its creation, the celebration has spread rapidly throughout the U.S.
In efforts to enrich the community, local sponsors are coming together to provide two Kwanzaa events, open to residents who wish to learn more about the celebration and culture behind it. “Homage to the Elders” will feature the Full House Children’s Company, now in its 12th year, with the musical teachings of Devon I. Evans, formerly of Bob Marley and the Wailers. Mr. Evans will be using traditional styles of the Caribbean to teach the children drumming, singing and dancing. Beat poetry, gospel singing and a dance piece performed by SCSU students will also be aspects of which the celebration is comprised. The two performances will be held at 10 a.m. for school groups on the 10th, and a 7:30 performance will be held Dec. 11 for the general public.
The celebration is free and open to the public and everyone is encouraged to bring a dish to share.
Tickets for “Homage to the Elders” cost $2 per person for the daytime performance and for the evening show tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for children and students. Tickets can be obtained by calling the Paramount Theatre ticket office at 320-259-5463.
|
|
|
|
Privacy Policy Network Advertising Article Syndication
|
|
