As a steady rain cascaded across the aluminum roof of Shiloh Baptist Church’s activity center, a calm spirit filled the room as students and community members celebrated the beginning of the Kwanzaa season.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the African American Cultural Center sponsored and organized the celebration, which normally begins on Dec. 26 and goes until Jan. 1. It featured interpretive dances, inspirational readings and cultural art.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of seven life principles called Nguzo Saba and how they relate to the African-American culture and community. Everything during the event related to one of these seven principles.
“We eat together to promote the principle of unity,” said Daphne LaSalle, an internal auditing senior. “We perform special talents to promote creativity and collective work. It all draws from one of those principles.”
Kwanzaa, which claims no ties with any religion, is a spiritual, festive and joyous celebration of the oneness and goodness of life.
The event also included a libation ceremony, which honors the spirit of African-American ancestors such as Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Audience members included the name of an ancestor in the libation ceremony as well.
“It is a celebration of my ancestors,” said Christian Dobbs, a biological sciences senior. “It’s a celebration of the women in my family that have made me who I am and inspired me to continue to achieve.”
Maulana Ron Karenga, the founder of the holiday, celebrated the first Kwanzaa on December 26, 1966.
This year, the pre-Kwanzaa celebration was organized by student workers in the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the AACC.
“It’s been a great opportunity for me to get to know another culture,” said Jennifer Murray, an English sophomore and one of the student workers who helped organize the celebration.
Many students voiced their appreciation of the event.
“It’s nice to celebrate our ancestors,” said Brandi St. Julien, a criminology senior. “I’m really glad we do this.”