The warmth and light of the sun after days of darkness and gloom seemed to fit with Kwanzaa’s seventh principle of Imani (faith), reminding the close-knit group of more than 30 men, women and children gathered Friday afternoon at John Brewers beach in celebration of the last day of Kwanzaa to give thanks.
A picnic table was covered in red, black and green, the colors of Kwanzaa, and adorned with colorfully painted calabash. The candleholder, called a kinara, was placed on a straw mat and contained seven candles, called the mishumaa saba, which represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa – Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
Five-year-old Obayemi Blake opened the ceremony with a prayer that asked for power, health, wealth and love for all in attendance in the new year. The candles were then lit one by one as each corresponding principle was spoken aloud.
Following the lighting of the candles, people shared personal prayers for the coming year with the group.
Mariel Blake, mother of Obayemi, reflected on the recent loss of a friend who committed suicide, saying, “Remember that no matter how bad things may seem, God always offers the promise of a new day. When it seems like it’s dark, if we hold on and have faith, light will come.”
Some were overcome with emotion, shedding tears as they spoke of hopes for the new year and the blessings they are grateful for.
To close the moving ceremony, hands and voices were joined to chant “harambe," which essentially means, “Let us all have each other’s backs this year,” according to Akinyemi Blake, father of Obayemi.
Following the ceremony, celebrants quickly moved to two tables heavily laden with food. Jambie and Benita Samuel, owners of Green Thumb Farms in Bordeaux, traditionally provide the annual feast.
Jambie’s homemade pumpkin soup and cornbread, obviously a crowd favorite, was in high demand. There were also trays of vegetarian pasta, tofu and seasoned rice and lentil loaf. For dessert there were homemade carrot and banana cakes. Local beverages included passion fruit juice, sorrel, guava and a chlorophyll drink made from guinea grass, lemongrass, cayenne pepper and, according to Jambie, lots of love.
Children ran off to play in the water as the adults sat around the tables, sharing stories and laughs. DarahMonife Cooper, owner of KWANZAA365 and organizer of the week’s Kwanzaa festivities, had her eye on a hammock gently swinging between the trees. “Today,” she said, “is my day to relax.”
Kwanzaa kits, DVD’s, CD’s, books, clothing, jewelry, youth activities and more are available at KWANZAA365 Inc. Headquarters, located at No. 32 Norre Gade, Suite No. 2 or visit www.kwanzaa365.org.