CELEBRATING UNITY
Seven-day Kwanzaa holiday kicks off with music, food and community at the WorldBeat Cultural Center
San Diegans with varying beliefs, religions and cultures joined together Sunday to celebrate Kwanzaa at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park.
Kwanzaa, which began Sunday and lasts for seven days, celebrates African American culture, history and heritage, but according to Makeda Cheatom, founder and executive director of the Worldbeat Cultural Center, the event is not just for African Americans.
“No matter what religion or color you are, you can come and learn about Kwanzaa,” Cheatom said. “It’s really important that the dominant culture understands our history. If we all understand each other, the world will be a lot better place.”
The seven days of Kwanzaa are dedicated to celebrating seven principals. Sunday’s event centered on “Umoja,” which in Swahili means unity.
“We need that,” Cheatom said. “We need that all over the world.”
The event featured a traditional Kwanzaa ceremony, keynote speakers, a condensed children’s performance of “The Wiz,” poetry readings, live music and free food for attendants. It’s the first of four Kwanzaa events hosted by the cultural center.
At least 100 people attended Sunday’s gathering in the circular building at the edge of Balboa Park, and Cheatom said at least 200 were expected over the course of the day.
Many attendants wore dashikis, a traditional African garment that features bright colors and patterns. All attendants were required to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
San Diego resident Alicia McElwee said she’s attended the event for several years, and this year, she’s joining the entertainment — performing with the children in the shortened production of “The Wiz.”
“The performances are by far
my favorite part,” McElwee said. “From the plays to the musicians, it’s just great entertainment for the community.”
On top of that, McElwee said the tradition of getting together and remembering the principals of Kwanzaa helps her stay grounded each year.
“It’s all about unity, family, looking out for one another, building with one another,” she said. “It’s just basic principals to not only better yourself but better your community as a whole.”
Maxine Fischer and Laurie Renas, who live in San Diego, said they read about the event a few weeks ago and thought it would be a fun way to learn about a culture that’s different from their own.
“We didn’t know anything about this when we showed up,” Fischer said. “It seemed like a good opportunity to learn what this holiday is all about.”
Renas and Fischer said they did not know what to expect when they entered the center and were unsure if they would be welcome to join.
“But that was not the case at all,” Fischer said.
Cheatom greeted the two women when they entered, and they were immediately invited in to join the celebration. They said they saw food
and live music and were eager to learn.
Poet laureate JohnnieRenee Nelson, who has written several books on Kwanzaa, its history and African American culture, said teaching others about Kwanzaa is one of her passions. She’s been going to the event for more than a decade.
“Kwanzaa is not a holiday like Christmas and Hanukkah,” Nelson said. “It’s about culture. It’s not about religion. There’s no central figure or person to celebrate. It’s a celebration of community, of culture and of kin.”
Nelson, who is a member of the African American Writers and Artists Inc. of San Diego and the California
Poets in the Schools program, wrote her first book on Kwanzaa in 1988. At the time, there was no authoritative literature on the celebration.
“Kwanzaa was created in 1966, and in that 22-year period, there had not been any volumes of Kwanzaa poetry and literature,” Nelson said. “So I felt it was a hole that needed to be filled, and I could fill it.”
The Worldbeat Cultural Center will host three additional Kwanzaa events this week. Each day will feature ceremonial candle lighting, live music and Karamu — a traditional feast of vegetarian soul food.