Kwanzaa Communal Celebration: The Dinner Table

The Black Student Success Initiative (BSSI) hosted a dinner at the Resnick Student Union for students, staff, and faculty to gather and celebrate Kwanzaa at the start of the holiday season. The dinner was hosted in partnership with the Cross Cultural and Gender Center and received support from faculty in various departments across campus.

Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, the Black Studies chair at CSU Long Beach, Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday that celebrates African heritage from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions worldwide and focuses on seven principles over the course of the holiday: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). 

Steeped in Umoja and culture, the students, staff, and faculty at the BSSI Kwanzaa celebration recited the following traditional statement during the evening’s libation ceremony: 

For The Motherland cradle of civilization.

For the ancestors and their indomitable spirit.

For the elders from whom we can learn much.

For our youth who represent the promise for tomorrow.

For our people, the original people.

For our struggle and in remembrance of those who have struggled on our behalf.

For Umoja the principle of unity which should guide us in all that we do.

For the creator who provides all things great and small.

by SADE JOHNSON

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