Kwanzaa is celebrated annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. President of the Sigma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Deyzha Todman, introduced Quelbe Resurrection as the Kwanzaa Honoree Thursday evening on St. John.
“They’ve made extraordinary contributions, educating and uplifting our values,” Todman said.
The leader of Quelbe Resurrection, Carl Powell, and his coleader, Ulysses Pilgrim, said the band just finished a volunteer tour of 11 public schools on St. John and St. Thomas, introducing a great history and culture to the youth. Powell recalled the beginning of the band in 2022 when Theodora Moorehead told him, “We need to start a Quelbe band to rekindle the traditional music.” The band took the official music of the Virgin Islands, using homemade items to keep the rhythm and updated the instruments.
The Kwanzaa celebration transformed the Franklin Powell Sr. Park in Cruz Bay, St. John, with rhythmic sounds and the Kwanzaa colors of red, green, and black. The event included performances by Echo People, Love City Pan Dragons, St. Thomas Majorettes and VI for Life Quadrille Group. The evening ended with each member of the Quelbe Resurrection Band being awarded a certificate of recognition for their contribution to the community. The lighting of the Kinara, a candle holder filled with seven candles, symbolized the seven days of the celebration.
The focus of the first day of the celebration is “Umoja,” the Swahili word for “unity.” This is the first of the Seven Principles, “Nguzo Saba,” celebrated each day during Kwanzaa. A traditional libation was shared with all attendees. There was a call to drink together in honor of our ancestors. Akinyemi Blake introduced the word used in African American culture, “Ashay,” which means “So be it.”
Blake told the crowd to speak the names of their ancestors, then blow three times into the cup before drinking. In honor of the community, permission was asked of the oldest and the youngest in attendance before drinking the libation. It was a powerful start to the Kwanzaa celebration.
The drums and calabash shakers were played by, The Echo People. Ital Delroy Anthony said, “This is our way to continually carry on our culture.” The Echo People have had different members over their 25 years playing on St. John and St. Thomas. “So here we are to celebrate because Kwanzaa is a part of our life,” Anthony said.
The song “Our Culture” by Image Band came over the speaker as the St. Thomas Majorettes lit up the streets of Cruz Bay.
The colorful outfits of the dancers in the VI for Life Quadrille Group swirled around the park. As the audience clapped to the beat, the dancers waved V.I. flags.
Felicia Blake called the crowd to hold hands and raise them together into the air, saying “Harambee,” which translates to, “Let’s pull together.” Obayemi Blake joined her on stage as they lifted their hands, and everyone chanted seven times, “Harambee.”
Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. sponsored the 29th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration and the evening shined with inclusivity as Jessica Taylor, Julice Holder, Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory, Monique Doute-Ferrell, Monique Matthias, Rosalia Payne, and K’Risa Chesterfield lit the Kinara.
