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Community Kwanzaa celebration in Lancaster this Saturday

by The AV Times Staff • December 26, 2019

More than 200 people attended the community Kwanzaa celebration in 2013. [File]
LANCASTER – Local families and friends are invited to a celebration in Lancaster this Saturday to commemorate the African-American cultural holiday Kwanzaa.

Themed “Re-connecting to African roots in the AV and abroad,” the free community celebration will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at the Sol Plaza Boutique Mall, located at 1140 Commerce Center Drive.

It will include family entertainment, as well as community vendors selling food, clothing and more, according to organizers. Jamaal Brown, a lifelong Antelope Valley resident and publisher of the Black365 calendar, will be the keynote speaker.

Kwanzaa is a secular holiday celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. It was established in 1966 as an African-American tradition that focuses on the family, community responsibility, commerce and self-improvement.

The inaugural AV Kwanzaa Celebration was held in 2009 by organizers Nannette Atuahene-Barrie, Jamaal Brown, Laneay London, and Willie Jenkins.

“Ten years later, the Antelope Valley has received this celebration with open arms,” Atuahene-Barrie said. “Aerick Watson, an AV resident who just came back from his first trip ever to Senegal, West Africa… said that because of celebrations like these in the AV, the trip to Senegal was not a tough adjustment. He was able to use a lot of what he learned at these local celebrations on his journey abroad.”

For more information on this year’s public Kwanzaa celebration, contact 510-978-5270.

More on Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, now chair of Africana Studies at Cal State Long Beach, in what he called “an audacious act of self- determination.”

Kwanzaa’s focus is the “Nguzo Saba,” the Seven Principles — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

During the week, a candelabrum called a Kinara is lit, and ears of corn representing each child in the family are placed on a traditional straw mat.

African foods such as millet, spiced pepper balls and rice are often served. Some people fast during the holiday, and a feast is often held on its final night.

A flag with three bars — red for the struggle for freedom, black for unity and green for the future — is sometimes displayed during the holiday.

Kwanzaa is based on the theory of Kawaida, which espouses that social revolutionary change for black America can be achieved by exposing blacks to their cultural heritage.

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Filed Under: Home, Lancaster

12 comments for "Community Kwanzaa celebration in Lancaster this Saturday"

  1. J. Christ says

    December 27, 2019 at 1:28 pm

    I’m still celebrating my birthday. I’m like 2019 years old.

  2. Alexis says

    December 27, 2019 at 10:23 am

    Racism permeates society. Commenters will take time to read the origin of Kwanzaa, yet live with other traditions themselves without knowing the origin.

    • M. Luther says

      December 28, 2019 at 1:55 pm

      Exactly. The Catholic Church makes it up as it goes along.

      It’s funny how the “truth” doesn’t persist over time and has to be reasserted over and over.

      However, lies last forever no matter evidence to the contrary.

  3. Ron says

    December 27, 2019 at 5:31 am

    Started by a guy who tortured women and spent years in prison. Was also a Black Panther.

  4. Jerry says

    December 26, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    This is a holiday some weirdo made up. Lmao

    • Ron says

      December 27, 2019 at 5:33 am

      He was a criminal who tortured women. Spent time in prison. I just read the story how it started.

  5. Eric says

    December 26, 2019 at 5:17 pm

    Why are the comments regulated. Could it be they are not politically correct.

    • Ron says

      December 27, 2019 at 5:40 am

      People should read how Kwanzaa started. It’s not good. The guy was a Radical who tortured women and spent time in prison. Now he’s a College Professor at Long Beach College.

  6. Jaya says

    December 26, 2019 at 3:19 pm

    Look at those savages..good day to get out of town…

    • Ron says

      December 27, 2019 at 5:35 am

      Started by a Black Panther. Who was in prison. Now he’s a college professor.

  7. Rob says

    December 26, 2019 at 2:25 pm

    Sorry, I cannot attend the event. I’ll be at an Italian-American celebration, for the day.

    • Winter Solstice says

      December 26, 2019 at 9:46 pm

      I can’t either. I will be involved with European pagan celebrations.

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