Howard County Celebrates Kwanzaa

ELLICOTT CITY, MD - From Howard County Government: Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman and the Office of Human Rights invite the public to join them for an evening celebrating Kwanzaa, a seven-day festival commemorating the African-American people, their culture and their history. The celebration will take place on Tuesday, December 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road in Laurel.

Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, in 1966 to bring African-Americans together as a community, and to reaffirm the culture and values, as well as the bonds, that hold a people together. Observed from December 26 thru January 1, the name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili.

Today, millions of people around the world show their belief in Kwanzaa’s seven principles (Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith) and seven symbols (Crops, a Mat, Candle Holder, Corn, Gifts, Unity Cup, and the 7 candles) with celebrations that often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, lighting of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder) and a large traditional meal.

The County’s celebration on the 26th will include presentations from seven community organizations: The Diva Readers; the African American Culture Center; the NAACP; the Contenitals; Grandmothers Cry; The Society; and Always Abiding in God Ministry of Jessup.

To RSVP for the event, please contact Christina Kawata with the Office of the County Executive at 410-313-2050 or email ckawata@howardcountymd.gov. For additional questions and/or more information about the event, contact the Office of Human Rights at 410-313-6430.

Photo by Igor Ovsyannykov via Unsplash