Capital Region Kwanzaa celebration begins

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Kwanzaa is the celebration of African American, Pan African culture, history, and values that began back in 1966. The Capital Region Kwanzaa Coalition started the celebration at the New York State Museum in Albany. Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration that celebrates the first fruits. In fact, everyone who attended the first night of Kwanzaa at the museum was asked to bring a fruit for the community fruit basket. “This is a harvest holiday that we come together to celebrate all the fruits of our labor throughout the year,” said Rachel Conn, Executive Director for Hamilton Hill Arts Center.

“Kwanzaa is not just a celebration, it is a practice,” stated Conn.

She says it's a time for the entire community to come together and reflect on African heritage, and honor family, culture and community by focusing on seven principles. Each night's celebration will be hosted by different groups in different local cities.

“It's important that we remind the community of the principles. Umoja, which stands for unity, and that's what we're celebrating today. Kujichagulia, which is self-determination. We have Ujima, collective work and responsibility to build and maintain our community. Ujamaa, which is cooperative economics. Nia, which is purpose. It's finding your own individual purpose, and how it can benefit the community. We have Kuumba, creativity, and Imani, which is faith and it's not faith in the religious sense,” explained Conn.

Thursday’s celebration included an African marketplace, workshops highlighting each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, activities for children, a drumming circle, and more. “Initially we celebrated one day because it was daunting to celebrate seven days. But after a while, committee members began to feel like we can do it. We can celebrate for seven days as long as other organizations join in,” said Rachel’s mom, Capital Region Kwanzaa Coalition Co-chair, Miki Conn.

Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration. For more information head on over to Hamilton Hill Arts Center website for a list of Kwanzaa celebration locations.