Cultural observance gets under way

The celebration lasts seven days.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- With dance, music and words of inspiration, the celebration of Kwanzaa has begun.
More than 200 people packed the upper meeting room of New Bethel Baptist Church on Hillman Street on Friday in recognition of the first principle -- Umoja or unity -- of Kwanzaa. The seven-day celebration designates a different principle for each day.
Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 with a focus on family, community and culture. Its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza which means "first fruits."
Local Kwanzaa celebrations have taken place since the late 1960s.
The first day of this year's Kwanzaa observances featured music, dancing and other cultural expressions. Dancers with the Harambee dance group performed several expressive movements, including a dance of fertility and a welcoming dance. Those in attendance also heard a complete explanation of Kwanzaa and all its principles and symbols.
Attorney Ron Miller has been an integral part of local Kwanzaa observances since the early 1970s. He said the celebrations have evolved and grown over the last three decades from services of about 50 people to "standing room only."
Pride in heritage
Miller said he hopes those attending the Kwanzaa celebrations leave with a knowledge and understanding they did not have before.
"I want African-American people to take away a renewed sense of their heritage, pride in who they are and a commitment to struggle for equality and liberation in the upcoming year," he said.
For many, such as Carolyn Roney of Youngstown, Kwanzaa has provided that sense of heritage and pride. She has been attending Kwanzaa celebration ceremonies for the last three years and said they have changed her outlook on being black.
"I find [the celebration ceremonies] to be uplifting," she said. "At one time I had no direction and was ashamed of being black, but this gives me an identity and now I can say am proud to be an African-American."
Others have made the Kwanzaa celebration a lifelong tradition.
Tanisha Hines moved from Youngstown to Florida five years ago, but came back to celebrate Kwanzaa with friends and family. She has celebrated Kwanzaa since her childhood and enjoys watching her home community come together in celebration.
Role of the church
A Kwanzaa celebration has been held at New Bethel Baptist Church each year for more than the past decade. The Rev. Kenneth Simon, pastor of New Bethel, said churches in the black community must take a lead role in educating blacks about their heritage and all things associated with the Kwanzaa principles.
"Basically, our people need to be aware of the issues and things that pertain to our heritage," he said. "Even as we celebrate Christmas we need to be aware how we as a people celebrate this time of year. It's about the harvest, the seven principles; these are the things that will help us progress."
There will also be Kwanzaa celebration ceremonies at 4 p.m. Sunday at Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the McGuffey Centre.
jgoodwin@vindy.com