By Kathi Stearns, Staff Writer

ATLANTA – A Kwanzaa celebration, teaching participants how to use the symbols and principles of the African-American ceremony, was held Saturday, Dec. 10 at St. Paul of the Cross Church, Atlanta.

The celebration, sponsored by the Office for Black Catholic Ministry, recognizes the unique cultural roots of African-Americans. The second annual archdiocesan celebration was entitled “Kwanzaa – The Living together Blue Print.”

Kwanzaa is observed from Dec. 26 through Jan 1. The celebration is based on the seven fundamental principles which are referred to as Nguzo Saba. The principles serve as guides for daily living. They are: Umoja meaning unity; Kujichagulia meaning self-determination; Ujima meaning collective work and responsibility; Ujamma meaning family life and cooperative economics; Nia meaning purpose; Kuumba meaning creativity; and Imani meaning faith. The archdiocesan celebration added a call to worship and a worshipping ceremony featuring the Archbishop James P. Lyke Memorial Mass Choir from parishes throughout the archdiocese.

Every day of Kwanzaa a candle is lit beginning with a black candle which is in the center of the candle holder. Three green candles are placed on the left of the black candle, representing Africa and the aspirations for the future, and three red candles are placed on the right, representing the blood that has been shed by elder members of the African-American community. Each day a principle of Kwanzaa is recited when the candle is lit, alternately from left to right.

The Kwanzaa event included a presentation on the seven daily principles, storytelling, puppets for children, sampling of African foods, dancing and the awarding of prizes to students who entered the Kwanzaa poster and essay contest.

The first-place winners of the poster and essay contest in their respective age groups were Maxwell Frazier, an eighth-grader at Sts. Peter and Paul School, Decatur; Janine Clerici, a fifth-grader at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Atlanta and Shea Hill, a second-grader at Sts. Peter and Paul.

Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a black studies professor. The word Kwanzaa means “the first” or the “first fruits of the harvest” in the eastern language of Kiswahili.