For the fact that the year has only just begun, I have already had quite a few new experiences. The first snowstorm has already passed and the temperatures are dangerously low, but that should not spoil the fun. New York would not be New York if there was nothing to experience.
To start, I attended my first Kwanzaa ceremony. Invited by Solwazi, a fellow photographer who photographed the Going Natural Models last year, I was able to experience a private Kwanzaa ceremony for the first time. Although I had heard of Kwanzaa before and had been to the Museum of Natural History for the first time this year to celebrate the holiday, I had never attended a ceremony before.
For those who don't know what Kwanzaa is, it is a non-religious 7 day festival celebrated annually from December 26th through January 1st, with the purpose of recognizing and highlighting the cultural heritage and traditional practices of people from the Diaspora.
Kwanzaa is derived from “Matunda Ya Kwanza” which in Swahili means Harvest Festival. While other cultures celebrate Hanukkah, Idle Fitr and Devali, Africans in the diaspora lacked holidays that symbolized a cultural connection. Therefore, Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African American Professor, deliberately created this festival with the aim of supporting the following three goals:
1) To recognize that the roots of Black people in America lie in Africa and to restore and reconstruct this culture.
2) To affirm and strengthen the bond between African Americans
3) To restore the seven African community principles.
I know for sure that culture enriches. As a child who grew up in Suriname, I feel like a queen that I was able to experience celebrations such as Eid Ul Fitr, Jaran Kepang and Dewali. I will never forget my first service in a mosque in Wageningen after I had walked the Dewali walk. I had asked my mother to walk with me because I found those sarees and lights so magically beautiful. But the story behind the light festival will also always stay with me. This is an example of a festival that recognizes and strengthens the bond between Hindus all over the world because wherever they are, it is celebrated everywhere. From India to Suriname and even though I am not a Hindu by faith, the festival has certainly enriched my life.
Djaran Kepang in Suriname. I experienced this several times during Harvest Festival when I lived in Wageningen (Suriname)
Kwanzaa is no exception. The 7 days of Kwanzaa symbolize the following seven principles: Unity, Self-determination, Collective work and Responsibility, Purpose, Creativity and Trust.
What I had never considered, however, was that in addition to the seven principles, the following symbols are also important: Fruit, which symbolizes a good harvest, a mat, for traditions and history as a foundation, the candle holder represents our roots, the corncob represents our children, the candles represent the 7 principles, the glass represents unity and the presents symbolize the relationship between parents and children.
However, even before the official part had started, I was welcomed by the host upon arrival and introduced to the rest of the group. After that I could enjoy the delicious buffet consisting of tayer leaf, smoked chicken, fried banana, salad, tangerines and last but not least a delicious gluten/sugar-free nut cake, all delicious! For me Kwanzaa was already a success. The ceremony could hardly go wrong then of course. How it went you can read on my American blog: Imani, my 1st Kwanzaa Celebration .
Then I found a clip of Dewali in Suriname. I practically grew up with this music. It is as much a part of my DNA as Lieve Hugo and Michael Jackson:
Now that I think about all this, it might be the year of cultural celebrations. What do you think? How was your first week?