Naming ceremony caps 7-day Kwanzaa celebration

January 2, 2012 at 12:04a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Ten girls and young women, members of the Harambee of Youngstown youth organization, received their African names dur-ing a ceremony as part of the final night of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa, created in 1966 and started here in 1968, is an African American holiday from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 to celebrate African heritage and culture.

Each of the seven days is dedicated to seven principles: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self- Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).

Imana, the final night of Kwanzaa, which means first fruits of harvest, was Sunday at the McGuffey Centre sponsored by the Harambee Coalition Kwanzaa Committee.

Lynnette Kimako Miller and her husband, Ron Sababu Miller, are founders and coordinators of the Youngstown Harambee, which has about 150 members from age 8 to 18, and also coordinators of the Youngstown Kwanzaa. Kimako and Sababu are the Millers’ African names.

Sunday’s program featured 10 girls who have met criteria of three years of Harambee membership. They must be at least in junior high school and meet other requirements. The program also included performances by the Harambee youth drum group.

Among the 10 girls are Jazzlynn Watkins, 14, who received her Ghana African name Mawusi, which means “in the hands of God;” and Myra Taylor, 12, whose North African nam Aminah means “faithful and honest.” Both reside in Youngstown.

Jazzlynn said being in Harambee is a “fun way to learn about our culture. It makes you feel better about yourself and gives you confidence.”

Myra said she also has learned a lot about her African heritage including the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is a longtime celebration in Youngstown and is extremely important to the black community and the community at large, Miller said.