The festival of KWANZAA is of foremost importance to all Afrikans (Black People). It is increasingly observed among those Afrikans who live in the Diaspora, the Afrikan communities outside Afrika. Kwanzaa is celebrated each year from 26 December to 1 January.

In the last eight years the Afrikan United Action Front (AUAF) has organised and hosted Kwanzaa very successfully. This year, 2003, the AUAF hosts Kwanzaa at the Caribbean Senior Citizens Association, Welbourne Centre, Chesnut Road, London N17 (corner of Chesnut & Parkview Rd). This venue is just 5 minutes? walk from Tottenham Hale Tube & British Rail Stations. The date is Friday , 26th Dec. The time is from 4.00pm to 11.00pm.

Kwanzaa is deeply rooted in and a continuation of traditions still alive throughout the Afrikan world, for example giving thanks for the first fruits of the harvest. Today this is celebrated as Homowo, Afahye, Odwira in Ghana, and as yam festivals, carnivals and many other forms across the Afrikan world in observations in which Afrikans give praises to the Creator - known by different names to different groups of Afrikans at different points in time - as well as to our sacred ancestors for providing a platform for us who inhabit the present. These are traditions that reach across time, across space and across whatever circumstances we live wherever we are, to the earliest memories and festivals of the first Afrikans, the very first humans.

Kwanzaa is an occasion for both reflection and celebration. Here, Afrikans come together to remember, reassess, recommit, reward and rejoice over the things that happened to us in our passage through the previous year(s) and indeed throughout time. Emphasis is placed upon Family and Community. Umoja (Unity or Togetherness) is a major principle of this activity. Other principles celebrated, one for each day of the festival, are KUJICHAGULIA (SELF-DETERMINATION), UJIMA (COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY), UJIMAA (COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS), NIA (PURPOSE), KUUMBA (CREATIVITY) and IMANI (FAITH). Together these are called the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles.
Each year the AUAF Kwanzaa observes the principle of Umoja: Unity. The AUAF has a very special commitment to this principle. In fact, the AUAF owes its very existence to UMOJA, for it was upon the clear necessity for unity among Afrikan organisations and within the Afrikan community that the AUAF was founded on 21 February, 1993 at a meeting to mark the 28st anniversary of the assassination of our beloved Malcolm X. The major aims of the AUAF are therefore to bring together Afrikan organisation s throughout UK for co-ordinated action around common objectives and to link with other organisations with similar aims in Europe and around the world. Principled organisational unity remains the only valid way forward to our highest ideals.

The 2003 programme will include edutainment, impromptu presentations from the floor and statements by representatives of our elders, our youths, other community leaders and the AUAF. All Afrikans are invited. This is strictly an Afrikan family occasion.
There will be a special tribute in the loving memory of elder Nana Bonsu.

STRICTLY AN AFRICAN FAMILY OCCASION

Imhotep Promotions In Association With The A.A.P.R.P Presents



Hosted by OneNess and Amen Noir

Special Guest Spoken Word Artist:-

El Crisis, Phenzwaan, shortMan, Shaka Ra + The Collective

Special P.A by Gerry Ranks Performing "Spiritual Crisis"

Special Guest Vocal Artist:- Sareal, Dionne Mitchell & Nayla

STRICTLY A BLACK (AFRIKAN) FAMILY EVENT

 

Kwanzaa - Special invitation for community activists

TENDAI MWARI
Kwanzaa is an international Afrikan Holiday and festive celebration of the harvest of Afrikan achievement from practising daily the Nguzo Saba (Seven Life Principles): i.e. Umoja - Unity; Kujichagulia - Self-Determination; Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility; Ujamaa - Co-operative Economics; Nia - Purpose; Kuumba - Creativity; Imani - Faith.

Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days from 26th Dec - 1st Jan and each day represents one of the Nguzo Saba. Over thirty million Afrikan people world-wide celebrate Kwanzaa. Children are central to the celebration, as it is a time to remind and reward them for upholding Afrikan values and principles.

This year's Akebu-Lan Kwanzaa promises to be as exciting as previous years, with hundreds of Afrikans enjoying a rich cultural ceremony: Drumming, singing, chanting, dancing and ritualising, as well as Zawadi (gift) giving, edutainment, fashion show, of course Karamu (feasting) with sweet mouth Afrikan (and Caribbean) cuisine's and treats for the children!

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka will, as usual, bless us with a special Kwanzaa message. And - wait for it - the awesome, spellbinding Soul Force Panthers will also grace us with their usual enlightening performing arts.

This is definitely an occasion for the whole family not to be missed. An opportunity as well to really celebrate the massive victory of our Baba Tony Martin campaign. There will also be an After Party at Temi's Cyber Kitchen, 343-345 Cambridge Heath Road, E2, featuring Nzingha Sound.

Due to the repossession of Trini's 2 Banqueting Suite (resulting from the Baba Tony Martin campaign), our promotion is way behind schedule this year as we had also booked Trini's 2 for this year's celebration. However, by the grace of MWARI-NYAKUSIKA (God the Creator) and Mudzimu-Mukuru (the great Ancestors) we have managed to secure York Hall. Leaflets will be available in a couple of days.

Looking forward to seeing you - ADMISSION FREE!

Please feel free to bring a Zawadi (gift) to be presented to your child for all therir achievements throughout the year.

STRICTLY A BLACK (AFRIKAN) FAMILY EVENT

Sponsered by ACSHO, PACM, KWESI & HARAMBEE

For more information about events in December, visit africanhistorymonth.org or the Ligali events page