by Jennifer Vensel

Created on: December 20, 2011

She was a little apprehensive when her longtime friend asked her to partake in her family’s Kwanzaa celebration. She knew the apprehension was just fear and she never wanted her own fear to make someone else feel bad in any way. She smiled and agreed. She was excited to learn something new.

She entered her friend’s home and was introduced to her family. They were all so warm and inviting to her. The home was absolutely beautiful with decorations of oranges, blues, and gold patterns. There were tribal masks on the walls and gorgeous safari looking dark wood furniture. It smelled wonderful and spicy, and there were candles lit that established a spiritual glow.

Her friend gave her a tour while explaining what Kwanzaa was all about. She said that it had started two days ago on December 26 and would go through until the first of January. The tradition of Kwanzaa had started in 1966 to honor the African American culture and community. It was based on the “first fruits” festivals dating back to Egypt she said.

She explained there were five basic rituals from the past that were a part of Kwanzaa and that was to gather together, to celebrate the good of life, the appreciate of the ancestors and all that they had done, to thank the creator, and to practice the highest of the African American goals personally and culturally. Her friend continued.

She was hanging on her friends every word and couldn’t wait to see what her first night of Kwanzaa was going to teach her. They entered a room with a candle stick holder that had seven spaces. Everyone sat down and she looked up starry eyed at the beautiful family in front of her.

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