By Rita McInerney

Kwanzaa, an African-American celebration of the first fruits, was celebrated Sunday, Dec. 17, at St. Anthony’s Church in the West End of Atlanta.

This marks the third year the program has been held at the church according to Father Bruce Wilkinson, pastor. He call the parish version a “quasi” Kwanzaa and says he adapts the program to involve Catholic teaching on “how we live our lives as Christians.”

The celebration is open to everyone in the parish and has as its main focus the passing on of traditions from the elders to the young. It is a way of reminding a family or a church community of its roots.

Kwanzaa (pronounced Quanza) in Swahili means “first fruits of the harvest.” It is usually observed for seven days beginning Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 as a holiday that pays tribute to the rich cultural roots of Americans of African ancestry. It is based on seven principles, with one principle discussed each day.

The principles, designed to give strength and hope to black Americans, are Umoja (unity), Kujichaguilia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), and Imani (faith).

The celebration at St. Anthony’s was compressed into 75 minutes instead of seven days. It included a discussion of each principle and instruction of the young by the elders. Children also read the principles and asked their questions, according to Father Wilkinson. Used for the ceremony is a table set with a mat, a basket of fruit and a seven-branched candleholder.

This year for the first time there was a commemoration of the saints and all of those family members who died during the year. The names were read and placed on the New Life Tree.

There was a gift exchange, Father Wilkinson said. Gifts are stipulated to be handmade or educational, creative, or inspirational and should not cause undue hardship on the giver.

The celebration at the West End parish was sandwiched in between the two Sunday masses and concluded at the 11:30 a.m. Liturgy.

Father Wilkinson said the parishioners are “very positive” about Kwanzaa with the celebration gaining wider acceptance each year. “More and more it is becoming part of black Catholic tradition. We take the principles every month in religious education.”

Kwanzaa was started by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 as a cultural celebration. He is the author of scholarly articles on black life and struggles.