Blacks open celebration with dance

The annual seven-day celebration will continue through Monday.
BY AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The thumping of traditional drums and the rhythmic dancing of young people dressed in traditional African garb brought the first night of Kwanzaa to a rousing start.
Members of Harambee Youth Organization were living illustrations of the Kwanzaa principle of unity as they performed a West African Welcome Dance in perfect time Tuesday during a ceremony at New Bethel Baptist Church on Hillman Street.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of black culture and moral principles. In fact, Kwanzaa, a Swahili word that means "first fruits," is based on traditional African harvest celebrations, said Lynnette Miller, who along with her husband, Ron, brought Kwanzaa to Youngstown in 1968.
The & lt;i & gt;nguzo saba & lt;/i & gt;, or seven principles of blackness celebrated during Kwanzaa, are universal, Miller said.
"The & lt;i & gt;Nguzo Saba & lt;/i & gt; don't just benefit our community," she said. "They are principles that can benefit everyone around the world, no matter where they live."
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are:
& lt;ul & gt;
& lt;li & gt; & lt;i & gt;Umoja & lt;/i & gt;, or unity. & lt;/li & gt;
& lt;li & gt; & lt;i & gt;Kujichagulia & lt;/i & gt;, or self-determination. & lt;/li & gt;
& lt;li & gt; & lt;i & gt;Ujima & lt;/i & gt;, collective work and responsibility. & lt;/li & gt;
& lt;li & gt; & lt;i & gt;Ujamaa & lt;/i & gt;, or cooperative economics. & lt;/li & gt;
& lt;li & gt; & lt;i & gt;Nia & lt;/i & gt;, or the purpose of restoring blacks to their traditional greatness. & lt;/li & gt;
& lt;li & gt; & lt;i & gt;Kuumba & lt;/i & gt;, or creativity that benefits the community. & lt;/li & gt;
& lt;li & gt; & lt;i & gt;Imani & lt;/i & gt;, or faith in the righteousness and struggles of parents, teachers and leaders who helped blacks get where they are today. & lt;/li & gt;
& lt;/ul & gt;
& lt;i & gt;Umoja & lt;/i & gt; is one of the most important principles of Kwanzaa, said the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, pastor of New Bethel.
"When one of us suffers, all of us suffer," he said. "But our power and our strength is in our unity -- when we speak with one voice and we have one destiny."
Symbols of event
The Kwanzaa celebration also featured what Miller called an "edutainment" section on the symbols of Kwanzaa featuring a & lt;i & gt;Kinara & lt;/i & gt;, or candleholder, that represents the connection of blacks with their homeland. Also featured were the & lt;i & gt;muhindi & lt;/i & gt;, or ears of corn, that represent each child in the family, and & lt;i & gt;mkeka & lt;/i & gt;, or & lt;i & gt;mat & lt;/i & gt;, that represents black traditions and history.
The service also featured libations, which is a traditional African ceremony to honor ancestors. While a member of the Youth Organization circled the sanctuary throwing water from a unity cup on the floor, members of the congregation called out names of friends and family and notable blacks who have died.
Denise Carlock of Youngstown brought her family -- daughters Myesha and Dana along with Dana's sons, DeMarcus McElroy, 4, and Damari Clark, 6 months -- to the unity service.
"We come every year," she said. "We like everything, especially the dancing."
The next Kwanzaa celebration is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Buckeye Elks Youth Center, 4211/2 North Ave.
There will also be a celebration of the Kwanzaa-principle & lt;i & gt;nia & lt;/i & gt; at 6 p.m. Saturday at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 328 S. Forest St., and a celebration of & lt;i & gt;imani & lt;/i & gt; at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the McGuffey Centre, 1649 Jacobs Road.
agarrett@vindy.com