Kwanzaa, an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture, is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John will kick off the annual celebrations Tuesday.
Kwanzaa activities are as follows:
Day 1: UMOJA (unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Dec. 26, noon- 4 p.m. – St. Coix
Coconut branch weaving, prizes, bring the family to Afrika House, King Street Frederiksted. Sponsored by UCA-Afrika House and U.C.U. For further information, contact 323-899-5460 or 857-240-2854.
Dec. 26, 5-7 p.m. – St. Thomas
Music by Ital Drummers, formal program and Ital lunch. Jason Budson will be the keynote speaker, on environmental awareness, and the program continues throughout the evening with music and the African Marketplace at the Bordeaux Farmers’ Market.
Sponsored by African Diaspora Youth Development Foundation, Inc. and We Grow Food, Inc.
Dec. 26, 5:30 p.m. – St. John
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sigma Theta Omega Chapter honors Jane Johannes and Elsie V. Thomas-Trotman for their annual Kwanzaa Celebration at the Franklin Powell Park.
Day 2: KUJICHAGULIA (self-determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Dec. 27, 7-10 p.m. – St. Thomas
Join the Pan African Support Group for their annual Kwanzaa program at The Pressure Spot, located directly north of and facing Fort Christian on the eastern end of Main Street.
Day 3: UJIMA (collective work and responsibility)
To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and solve them together.
Dec. 28, 7 p.m. – online
This is an opportunity for members of the cultural community who desire to make contact with each other, both locally and in the diaspora, with a community “KWANZAA Kall” on Zoom (informal dialogue). This will be a wellness check-in on everyone. It will also include community organizing (dialogue on needs) and End of Life Celebration planning, encouragement and resource sharing.
Zoom link available here.
Day 4: UJAMAA (cooperative economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Dec. 29, 1 p.m. – St. Thomas
The second annual Kwanzaa festival dinner for the homeless will take place behind the Priscilla beauty salon in the yellow building behind Market Square to the right.
Anyone who would like to donate a dish can contact Margaret Price, who is an advocate for the homeless, at 340-228-6783.
Dec. 29 – St. Thomas
Support new African Caribbean businesses. This year, Captain Lukata and Chef Benita of the BOKETTO sailing catamaran are the highlights. According to the website, “Benita and Lukata offer a wide range of activities from farm tours, historic hikes to meeting with local musicians and artists as well as memorable experiences off land for all their guests to take as intangible souvenirs.” Call/text 340-643-4867 to donate.
Day 5: NIA (purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Dec. 30- St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John
Self-gratitude: The community is encouraged to focus on individual self-purpose, talents, and role in the family/community. Also, time can be used to prepare to share what/who they are grateful for during the gratitude circle time on Jan. 1 at Brewers Beach on St. Thomas.
Day 6: KUUMBA (creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Dec. 31, 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – St. Thomas (Brewers Bay Westside)
Join the Blake family of Ital Ase Botanica and Wedding Services at sunrise and sunset at John Brewers Beach for community yoga.
Day 7: IMANI (faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Jan. 1, 1 p.m. – St. Thomas
Community potluck at Brewers Beach:
– Ceremony
– Bring vegan or vegetarian dishes, drinks or desserts
– Gratitude Circle: Participants should prepare to share what/who they are grateful for. “I am grateful for … (people, persons, organizations, businesses, things, etc.) because (it affects me however).”
For more information, contact 340-643-6863.
