`Kwanzaa lessons add to children’s celebrations`

By Kristen Garrett
Herald Staff Writer

Local children had the opportunity to learn about Kwanzaa, the African-American holiday celebrating the harvest, this week at a workshop designed just for them.

About 15 kids from Farrell and Sharon attended the workshop which began Monday and ends Friday. The workshop was sponsored by Sharon Lifelong Learning Council, Penn State Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Program and the Mercer County Housing Authority.

For two hours each day, the children participated in exercises and crafts to teach them about Kwanzaa — a word which means “first fruit.”

Lynda Moss-McDougall, of the 4-H Youth Program, led the group each day.

Kwanzaa, started in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, begins Dec. 26 and ends Dec. 31 every year. There are seven principles, or naguzo saba in Swahili, that Kwanzaa is centered around: umoja (unity), kujichaguila (self-determination), ujima (collective work/responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose) and kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith).

Michael Hall, 10, of Sharon, said he liked learning about Dr. Karenga. He said his family celebrates Kwanzaa every year, and he has heard the name mentioned, but never knew very much about the beginnings of the holiday.

The children learned about the principles each day. They heard Wednesday about famous people throughout history, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubbman and Biddy Mason, who have demonstrated the principles.

Monique Daniels, 11, of Sharon, said it is important to learn about Kwanzaa because children should know the background of the holiday and about the lives of their ancestors.

“It’s so good to see all these children here learning about heroes,” said Ramona Peagler of the Mercer County Housing Authority. “It helps connect them to the world,” she said, adding that it is nice to see kids do something productive during the holiday break.

The children made mkekas (mats) on which to place the mazao bowls they made from papier-mâché’. Throughout the week they have made and decorated the crafts.

Albert Otey, of Sharon, demonstrated how to make a kinara, the traditional candle holder. Dom Dupre, 8, of Sharon said he learned about the colors of the seven candle places in the Kinara — three red, three green and one black.

Red stands for the blood of the people, green for the harvest and black for the color of the people, Dom said.

Ms. McDougall said everything has gone extremely well. She said the kids have learned that Kwanzaa “is not just one week but throughout the year and our lives.”

She said the seven principles are life-skills and the workshop experience has been very rewarding.

Area churches, as part of the Shenango Valley Kwanzaa Alliance, had public celebrations throughout the week. The children went to Bethlehem Baptist in Farrell Wednesday night to speak about what they learned.

The Steel City Terrace Community Center, 102 Wallis Ave., Farrell, will have a program from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight, and the Community Baptist Church, 1013 Emerson Ave., Farrell, will have a program from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

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