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Kate Saphir Alm conducts the Harmony Youth Choir on Saturday during a community Kwanzaa celebration at the Museum of Art and History (MAH) in downtown Santa Cruz. The event was co-sponsored by the Countywide Black Student Union, Musical Soulmates and the MAH. The seven-day holiday created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as a response to the cultural disconnection experienced by African Americans, lasts seven days and celebrates a different Nguzo Saba (principal) each day. Saturday was the second day of Kwanzaa and emphasizes Kujichagulia, or self-determination. During the event the symbols of the holiday were explained, and Musical Soulmates Performers Collab and Musical Soulmates Harmony Youth Choir performed. According to the website of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, “Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The seven principles which form its core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent. These principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia, Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase, ‘matunda ya kwanza’ and is rooted in first fruit celebrations which are found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times.” (Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
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Kate Saphir Alm conducts the Harmony Youth Choir on Saturday during a community Kwanzaa celebration at the Museum of Art and History (MAH) in downtown Santa Cruz. The event was co-sponsored by the Countywide Black Student Union, Musical Soulmates and the MAH. The seven-day holiday created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as a response to the cultural disconnection experienced by African Americans, lasts seven days and celebrates a different Nguzo Saba (principal) each day. Saturday was the second day of Kwanzaa and emphasizes Kujichagulia, or self-determination. During the event the symbols of the holiday were explained, and Musical Soulmates Performers Collab and Musical Soulmates Harmony Youth Choir performed. According to the website of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, “Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The seven principles which form its core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent. These principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia, Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase, ‘matunda ya kwanza’ and is rooted in first fruit celebrations which are found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times.” (Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
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Kate Saphir Alm conducts the Harmony Youth Choir on Saturday during a community Kwanzaa celebration at the Museum of Art and History (MAH) in downtown Santa Cruz. The event was co-sponsored by the Countywide Black Student Union, Musical Soulmates and the MAH. The seven-day holiday created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as a response to the cultural disconnection experienced by African Americans, lasts seven days and celebrates a different Nguzo Saba (principal) each day.
Saturday was the second day of Kwanzaa and emphasizes Kujichagulia, or self-determination. During the event the symbols of the holiday were explained, and Musical Soulmates Performers Collab and Musical Soulmates Harmony Youth Choir performed. Bassist and vocalist Etienne Franc, of Santa Cruz, provided musical entertainment as well.
According to the website of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, “Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The seven principles which form its core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent. These principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia, Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase, ‘matunda ya kwanza’ and is rooted in first fruit celebrations which are found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times.”
